Differences in Cardiovascular Risk Factors in College Students: Midwest Versus Southwest

Abstract

Purpose: This study was designed to identify underlying cardiovascular risk factors among college students including lifestyle characteristics, health behaviors and knowledge, and perception of the risk factors. Method: College students ( N = 293), aged 19–36 years, enrolled at either a Midwestern or a Southwestern University in the United States, responded to three questionnaires: sociodemographic, knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors, and perception of cardiovascular risk factors. Anthropometric measures collected included blood pressure (BP), glucose, lipid panel, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI). Results: There were significant regional and gender differences in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among Southwestern and Midwestern college students. Students from the Southwest had a higher risk of developing CVD in 30 years compared to those in the Midwest; they also had a higher perceived risk. Males were more at risk of developing CVD than females but had a lower perceived risk than females. Dietary habits were similar between the two populations, and we found no significant differences in BMI. The two regions varied in BP levels, but the Midwestern students had significantly higher prevalence of elevated BP and Stage 2 hypertension. Conclusion: Our data suggest that college students are a high-risk population and tend to underestimate and misperceive their risk for developing CVD.

Prevalence of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among undergraduate students in Kano Nigeria: A need for action

“…Unhealthy dietary habits coupled with sedentary lifestyle among young adults have led to the rising local, 25 regional, 26 and global 27 prevalence of overweight and obesity with attendant consequences on other major CVD risk factors. This calls for the formulation of policies and guidelines for effective screening, early detection, and proper treatment of major CVD risk factors among university students, and indeed young adults generally, who are now being considered as a high-risk population, 28 if the new initiative for prevention of CVD risk factors by the WHO is to be successful. Massive health education concerning the implications of some lifestyle choices of young adults should be encouraged to bridge the identified gap in awareness 6 , 29 among this demographic.…”

Adherence to Dietary and Physical Activity Guidelines in Australian Undergraduate Biomedical Students and Associations with Body Composition and Metabolic Health: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Biochemical risk factors have rarely been explored in university students. Among Midwest and Southwest American university students, 2.2-3.9% met criteria for diabetes mellitus [16], and, among Kenyan university students, 1.9% met criteria for metabolic syndrome [17]. In Australia, national data indicate that 0.6% of the young adult population (aged 15-24 years) have diagnosed diabetes [18], but rates of insulin resistance in the general young adult population have not been reported.…”

Assessing the Cardiovascular Health Status and Knowledge Level of College Students

“…In surveying 293 students at Midwestern and Southwestern Universities in the United States, Herlosky and colleagues found 6.2% of participants to have hyperlipidemia. 30 In screening male (n = 575) and female (n = 1528) college students, Morrell and colleagues found 24.7% of male and 25.8% of female students to have a total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL or higher. 31 Although the outcomes of this study show a substantial number of college participants to have ideal blood pressure, glucose, and cholesterol levels, this study does not provide insight into the number of college students that may be borderline for these factors.…”