Bad nutritional habits in university students are risk factor for cardiovascular diseases

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the nutritional habits of university students with health parameters related to cardiovascular risk and to evaluate if poor nutritional habits are associated with cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: Three hundred and twelve students (180 female and 132 males; with mean age 21.1 ± 2.8 years) were attending the University of King Saudi, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. They were randomly selected from university register during the studying year 2008 – 2009. A self reported questionnaire was administered to all students including:1) Personal and socio-economic data, age – marital status, education and occupation of their father and mother, economic status and past history of obesity for father and mother.2) Nutritional habits included: questions on frequency of their meals and snacks- questions about their consumption of vegetables – fruits – fatty foods – sugars – salty food- beans – grains and questions related to their life style practice like physical activity (exercise). 3) A dietary sheet of food intake record over 3 consecutive days. Daily food consumption was recorded and nutritional analysis was performed. Weight and height were measured and body mass index was calculated. Also, blood pressure was measured. Results: Almost a quarter of students were found to be overweight (21%) or obese (6.5%). The contribution of macronutrients to total energy intake was very low for carbohydrates but very high for fat and suitable for proteins. The percent of overweight and obese male students were increased (23% &7% respectively) when compared with female students (19% & 6% respectively). There was a statically significant of the percent of hypertensive of both sexes, (p< 0.05). The majority of the students follow unhealthy eating habits was high percentage in males than in females when eat meats. The majority of males were eaten grains, fatty foods and oils but the majority of females consumed sugar. High percent of males was rarely making exercise than females. The mean daily intake from carbohydrate was rise the recommended intake but mean daily intake of fiber consumption of both sexes below the recommended intake (p 0.05). Most of the students with low intake of vitamin A and folic acids as well as calcium; however the mean intake of other vitamins and minerals was found to be adequate. There was a positive correlation between fat consumption and BMI as well as blood pressure in females and males, between economical status and BMI (p0.05) and between salty food and blood pressure in females and males, (p0.05). A negative correlation between consumption of fiber, grain, vegetables, fruit, bean and BMI as well as blood pressure in females and males, (p0.05).The exercises and education of mother for both sexes were negatively correlated with BMI, (p 0.05) . Conclusion: Life style modification is important for those relatively in young age in order to change bad healthy habit in earlier life. These results indicate that university students would benefit from a nutrition and health promotion program to reduce the tendency of overweight and obesity among students, particularly males, and to improve student's eating habitsPersonalit