OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY IN RELATION TO CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN MALAYSIA

Abstract

Background and aims: In light of the urbanization, industrialization and mechanized transportation, cardiovascular risk factors have been predominated. Hence, it is hypothesized that Malaysian students entering the university would not be oblivious to this reality. The study aims to investigate the cardiovascular disease risk factors stratified on genders and body weight status. Material and Methods: This pilot study had a cross- sectional design. Subjects were assessed for several parameters such as smoking, alcohol consumption, dietary habits, weight, height, physical activity level, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure, pulse rate, glucose, uric acid and cholesterol level. Subjects were students aged 18 years and above who agreed to participate. Results: Males have higher mean height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio compared to females (p<0.05). In addition, males have higher mean value for systolic blood pressure (p<0.05), diastolic blood pressure, glucose level, uric acid level and cholesterol level, but lower mean value for pulse rate. Systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure correlated significantly with the three obesity indices, explicitly body mass index, waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio(p<0.05). Conclusions: It is crucial to implement intervention programs for those individuals with high risk in developing cardiovascular diseases.