Life style and cardiovascular risk factors among students of Wroclaw postgraduate schools
Rafał Poreba1, Paweł Gać, Marcin Zawadzki
1Department of Internal Medicine, Occupational Disease and Hypertension, Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland. sogood@poczta.onet.pl
Insights
Wroclaw university students exhibit lifestyle and dietary habits similar to the general Polish population, indicating a need for intervention. Addressing cardiovascular risk factors through education is crucial for improving public health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Preventive Medicine
- Cardiology
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors encompass age, gender, family history, smoking, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, obesity, poor diet, and stress.
- Cardioprotective factors include fruit/vegetable intake, moderate alcohol consumption, and physical activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the lifestyle and cardiovascular risk factors among university students in Wroclaw.
- To identify potential areas for intervention in student health behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Anonymous questionnaire survey administered to 240 nature faculty students from four public universities and one postgraduate school in Wroclaw.
- Data collected on dietary habits, weight status, and smoking prevalence.
Main Results:
- 17.4% of students reported special diets; 10.3% self-reported overweight/obesity, confirmed in 7.7%.
- Smoking prevalence was 23.9%.
- Dietary knowledge was limited, with only 47.7% answering diet-related questions correctly.
Conclusions:
- Student lifestyle and dietary patterns in Wroclaw align with the general Polish population and require modification.
- Integrating preventive medicine into university curricula is essential for improving the epidemiological situation and promoting healthier lifestyles.
Introduction:
Cardiovascular risk factors include independent factors such as advanced age, male gender, family history and modifiable risk factors including cigarette smoking, arterial hypertension, lipid disturbances, diabetes mellitus, obesity, dietary habits and stress. In contrast, fruit and vegetables consumption, moderate alcohol consumption and physical activity are cardioprotective factors.
Objectives:
The aim of the study was to analyze the lifestyle of students from universities of the city of Wroclaw in the aspect of cardiovascular risk factors.
Patients And Methods:
The studies were performed in 240 students of nature faculties from four public universities and one nonpublic postgraduate school. Mean age of participants was 21.5 +/- 1.5 years. A special questionnaire prepared by the authors was used during the study, and the participants filled it anonymously.
Results:
Among the participants 17.4% claimed to use a special diet. Overweight or obesity were declared by 10.3% of the students but it was proved only in 7.7%. Smoking habit was reported by 23.9% of the participants. Students gave the correct answers to questions on diet in 47.7% of cases.
Conclusions:
Life style and diet habits of the students from Wroclaw universities do not basically differ from the pattern presented by a statistical Pole and it should be modified. In order to improve the present epidemiological situation it is necessary to include problems of preventive medicine in teaching programs in all Polish universities.
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