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Perceived Severity of Interrelated Cardiometabolic Risk Factors among U.S. College Students
Ashley L Merianos1, Wura Jacobs2, Oluyomi Oloruntoba3
1University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Insights
College students underestimate cardiometabolic risks like high blood pressure and obesity. Factors such as smoking, sex, and ethnicity influence these perceptions, highlighting a need for targeted health education.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Behavior
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Cardiometabolic risk factors are linked to the early development of chronic diseases.
- Understanding perceptions of these risks is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors associated with college students' perceptions of the severity of high blood pressure, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.
- Investigate how personal characteristics influence risk perception in young adults.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 1,361 U.S. college students via an internet-delivered survey.
- Utilized least squares regression models to examine relationships between variables.
- Key independent variables included sex and cigarette smoking status.
Main Results:
- Smokers perceived high blood pressure, obesity, and cardiovascular disease as less severe than nonsmokers.
- Females perceived all three cardiometabolic risks as more severe compared to males.
- Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander students perceived these risks as less severe than non-Hispanic white students.
- Overweight and obese students reported higher perceived severity of obesity compared to normal weight students.
Conclusions:
- Significant discordances exist in how college students perceive the severity of interrelated cardiometabolic risks based on personal factors.
- Interventions should address smoking cessation and educate students, particularly males and minority groups, on associated risks.
Background:
Cardiometabolic risk factors are related to the early onset of chronic health conditions.
Purpose:
To identify factors associated with perceptions about the severity of three interrelated cardiometabolic risks (i.e., high blood pressure, obesity, and cardiovascular disease) among U.S. college students.
Methods:
Data were analyzed from 1,361 college students using an internet-delivered survey. Least squares regression models were fitted. Primary independent variables of interest were sex and cigarette smoking status.
Results:
Relative to nonsmokers, smokers perceived high blood pressure (B=-0.09, P=0.001), obesity (B=-0.12, P<0.001), and cardiovascular disease (B=-0.12, P<0.001) to be significantly less severe. Across models, females perceived all three cardiometabolic risk factors to be more severe (P<0.005). Relative to non-Hispanic whites, Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander students perceived all three cardiometabolic risk factors to be less severe (P<0.002). Compared to normal weight students, overweight (B=0.41, P=0.039) and obese (B=-0.72, P<0.001) students reported higher severity perceptions about obesity only.
Discussion:
There are discordances between perceived severity of interrelated cardiometabolic risks among college students by personal factors.
Translation To Health Education Practice:
Smoking prevention and cessation interventions are needed to educate college students about cardiometabolic risks associated with cigarette smoking, especially among male and minority students.
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