Nutritional status and cardiovascular risk factors in freshmen at Universidad Nacional del Litoral, in the period 2006-2019

Abstract

The detection of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) in young adults is particularly relevant, because it makes it possible to identify their vulnerability and contribute to focus prevention strategies. The aim of this paper was evaluated the nutritional status and the CVRFs of the student at Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), during the period 2006-2019. To this end, a descriptive-retrospective study was conducted, with a sample of 1481 randomly selected clinical stories distributed by year and broken down by sex. "Normal weight" was the most prevalent condition, followed by "overweight" and, lastly, "obesity". The prevalence of “overweight” during 2006-2019 showed an upward trend, while “normal weight” decrease in the same period. After “overweight”, the most prevalent CVRF was “hypercholesterolemia”, followed by “abnormal arterial hypertension" and, lastly, "abnormal blood glucose”. A comparation between years 2006 and 2019 evidence an increase of students with “one or more CVRFs". These differences were non-significant. For all the above, it is essential to design and implement strategies to promote lifestyle changes in young people and prevent cardiovascular diseases in adulthood.