Keywords
Overweight; Obesity; Dyslipidemia; Food habits; Lifestyle; University students
Abstract
The Saudi community has experienced considerable transformations in lifestyle and eating habits during the past 30 years. This study aimed to determine dyslipidemia prevalence and related risk factors among female Health Sciences students in Taif University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).A total random sample of 148 female university students from Health Sciences colleges aged 18.5-22.1 years, was selected to contribute to the present study. Subjects were screened for serum lipid chemistry, obesity/overweight and associated risk variables via completion of pre-examined food frequency questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements, namely height, weight, and waist circumference (W_C) were determined. Fasting blood samples from each participant was taken for determination of blood lipid parameters. Obtained data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program. The overall dyslipidemia rate was 58.90%. The prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, high levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL-c), low levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL-c), and high risk ratio of total cholesterol (TC)/HDL-c were 2.1%, 9.5%, 8.8%, 54.7%, and 33.8%, respectively. Low HDL-c level was the major prevalent dyslipidemia among female university students. Overweight/obese students were more likely to demonstrate at least one unfavorable blood lipid concentration. BMI was substantially correlated to high level of LDL-c and high risk ratio of TC/HDL-c. Living and eating with a family and TV viewing were considerably associated with unacceptable amounts of HDL-c. Daylight sleep had significant impacts on hypercholesterolemia, and undesirable level of LDL-c, while only liver uptake had significant effect on hypercholesterolemia and high level of LDL-c. This study strongly recommends creation of health education program to provide university students with information regarding healthy lifestyle and eating habits that improve good blood lipid profile.
Citation
El-Daloa A and Hamama F. Dyslipidemia and Associated Risk Factors among Health Sciences University Students. SM J Nutr Metab. 2017; 3(1): 1018.