Prevalence of risk factors for obesity, hypertension, coronary artery disease and diabetes among under-graduate medical college students of Tamil Nadu

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONThe changing lifestyles of mankind have led to the epidemiological transition, which means fall in communicable diseases and a rise in non-communicable diseases. Currently, non-communicable diseases are the leading cause of deaths in most of the countries.1 NCDs have a prolonged course of illness that does not resolve spontaneously and for which a complete cure is rarely achieved and the patients is on lifelong treatment.Out of the 57 million deaths reported globally, 36 million (63%) deaths and 44% of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) are attributed to NCDs, principally cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, cancers, and chronic respiratory diseases.2 India is facing a double burden of both communicable disease and NCD. Globally speaking, India experienced the highest loss in potentially productive years; when compared to communicable diseases, NCDs approximately contribute 235 million ABSTRACT Background: The present scenario indicates that NCD-related diseases are on the rise among young people. Once the behavioural patterns of an individual are established, it often persists throughout life and is hard to change. Research has documented that adolescence is the appropriate time period for appropriate intervention. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of various risk factors of hypertension, coronary artery disease and diabetes among the medical students. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among the medical college students of Annapoorna Medical College Hospital for a period of one year. A total of 406 students had participated in the study. A semistructured and pilot tested questionnaire was used to collect the personal and demographic details of the students. Measurements such as BMI and blood pressure were recorded. Biochemical measurements such as fasting blood sugar and lipid parameters were measured. Results: A total of 38 (17.9%) male students and 6 (3%) female students are at risk of developing diabetes, hypertension or CAD at a very early age as per their clinical and biochemical reports. Conclusions: Promotion of supportive environment for strengthening student-based approaches and strategic delivery of health education is essential to target the risk behaviours among our future doctors.

Prevalence of cardiovascular health risk behaviors in college-going women in a major metropolis in India

“…While there is sufficient evidence to prove the role of health-related behavioral risk factors such as unhealthy diet, inadequate exercise, psychosocial factors, smoking and harmful use of alcohol in the causation of CVD, 4 the knowledge about their prevalence in college students in India is limited. 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 This study aims to understand the prevalence of cardiovascular health risk behaviors in college-going women in Chennai, a major metropolis in India.…”