Prevalence and risk factors of obesity and hypertension among students at a central university in the West Bank

Abstract

ObjectivesWe aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of obesity and hypertension (HTN) among students at a central university in the West Bank.Materials and methodsThis cross-sectional study targeted a cohort of 553 students (59.5% males, 40.5% females) aged 17–26 years (median = 21) from Al-Quds University. Body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) were measured. Participants completed a questionnaire on physical activity, sedentary behavior, dietary factors, smoking and family history of obesity, HTN, and coronary artery disease. The magnitude of correlation was assessed by Spearman's rho (r s) and Chi-square tests.ResultsThe prevalence of overweight was 25% (31.1% males, 15.6% females) and obesity 7.2% (9.4% males, 4% females). Obesity and overweight were associated with family history of obesity in both genders (p<0.001) and physical activity in males (rs= − 0.162, p<0.005). No correlation was demonstrated between participants’ BMI and sedentary lifestyle or consumption of fast food. Pre-HTN was detected in 27.1% (38% males, 11.2% females) and HTN in 2.2% (3.3% males, 0.4% females). Pre-HTN and HTN were associated with obesity (rs=0.252, p<0.001) and smoking (p<0.05). No relationship was detected between students’ BP and sedentary behavior, family history of HTN/CAD, or consumption of fast food. The prevalence of increased BMI and BP among males was significantly higher than females (p<0.001).ConclusionsWe detected a high prevalence of elevated BP and excess weight gain among students at Al-Quds University. An interventional program is urgently needed to control these cardiovascular risk factors in this community.

Ten-year cardiovascular risk assessment in university students

“…The same results were found by Zemdegs et al (15) from Brazil, where the women-students' %BF was 29.6 ± 6.2% and that of the men' was 17.9 ± 4.9%. High prevalence of overweight or obesity was found in university students from Jerusalem where 40% (31 + 9) of the males and 19% (15 + 4) of the females had BMI ≥ 25 (13).…”

“…Severe physical inactivity of students of other ethnic populations was reported as well. Tayem et al (13) presented that 26.9% of the students from Jerusalem had severe physical inactivity, as indicated by less than 30 min daily activity. The women's physical activity is generally reported to be lower than men's.…”

“…According to the different lipid studies of university students the HDL cholesterol levels generally fluctuate between 35 mg/dL and 58 mg/dL (1,3,15). The prevalence of hypertensive students is often part of the cardiovascular risk studies, Tayem et al (13) found that 29.3% of the students were pre-hypertensive or hypertensive in Jerusalem, Bleske et al (1) published that in India it was only 21.8% but in Syria and USA it was higher 33.8% and 30.9%, respectively. In our study only 8% of the Hungarians had higher than 1% CVR assessment and had higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure.…”

“…Analyzing results from multiple studies, the prevalence of currents smokers was varied, the highest rate was found in Syria (43%), also a high prevalence was found in Spain (31.7%) and in Croatia (30.4%). Additionally, 29.3% of students smoke in Jerusalem, 28% in Chile, 23.9% in Bolivia, 10.7% in Brazil and 6.2% in USA at University of Michigan and 1.7% in India (1,5,8,9,12,13,15). Comparing our results to these studies we can state that the involved students' health-related habits and life-style were good in comparison and in certain ways they were better than generally observed in other populations.…”

Predicción del riesgo cardiovascular e hipertensión arterial según Framingham en pacientes de atención primaria en salud. Estudio FRICC

“…Resultados más bajos se han reportado en universitarios palestinos (38% vs. 11,2 %) 15 . La prevalencia de HTA ha sido determinada en 13,7% y 3,5% en Portugal 16 , 8,5% y 2,0% en Chile 14 y un 3,3% y 0,4% en Palestina en hombres y mujeres respectivamente 15 , lo cual coincide ineludiblemente con los resultados obtenidos …”