Prevalence and risk factors of obesity and hypertension among students at a central university in the West Bank
Objectives : We aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of obesity and hypertension (HTN) among students at a central university in the West Bank. Materials and methods : This cross-sectional study targeted a cohort of 553 students (59.5% males, 40.5% females) aged 17–26 years (m...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2012-10-01
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| Series: | Libyan Journal of Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.libyanjournalofmedicine.net/index.php/ljm/article/view/19222/pdf_1 |
| _version_ | 1818595165802070016 |
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| author | Yasin I. Tayem Nagham A. Yaseen Wiam T. Khader Lama O. Abu Rajab Ahmad B. Ramahi Mohammad H. Saleh |
| author_facet | Yasin I. Tayem Nagham A. Yaseen Wiam T. Khader Lama O. Abu Rajab Ahmad B. Ramahi Mohammad H. Saleh |
| author_sort | Yasin I. Tayem |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objectives : We aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of obesity and hypertension (HTN) among students at a central university in the West Bank. Materials and methods : This 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. Results : The 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 (r s= − 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 (r s=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). Conclusions : We 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-16T11:11:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4852f5ed13d54185999bc6a006b67e46 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1819-6357 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-16T11:11:41Z |
| publishDate | 2012-10-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Libyan Journal of Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-4852f5ed13d54185999bc6a006b67e462022-12-21T22:33:43ZengTaylor & Francis GroupLibyan Journal of Medicine1819-63572012-10-01701510.3402/ljm.v7i0.19222Prevalence and risk factors of obesity and hypertension among students at a central university in the West BankYasin I. TayemNagham A. YaseenWiam T. KhaderLama O. Abu RajabAhmad B. RamahiMohammad H. SalehObjectives : We aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of obesity and hypertension (HTN) among students at a central university in the West Bank. Materials and methods : This 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. Results : The 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 (r s= − 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 (r s=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). Conclusions : We 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.http://www.libyanjournalofmedicine.net/index.php/ljm/article/view/19222/pdf_1obesityhypertensionrisk factorsyoung adults |
| spellingShingle | Yasin I. Tayem Nagham A. Yaseen Wiam T. Khader Lama O. Abu Rajab Ahmad B. Ramahi Mohammad H. Saleh Prevalence and risk factors of obesity and hypertension among students at a central university in the West Bank Libyan Journal of Medicine obesity hypertension risk factors young adults |
| title | Prevalence and risk factors of obesity and hypertension among students at a central university in the West Bank |
| title_full | Prevalence and risk factors of obesity and hypertension among students at a central university in the West Bank |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence and risk factors of obesity and hypertension among students at a central university in the West Bank |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence and risk factors of obesity and hypertension among students at a central university in the West Bank |
| title_short | Prevalence and risk factors of obesity and hypertension among students at a central university in the West Bank |
| title_sort | prevalence and risk factors of obesity and hypertension among students at a central university in the west bank |
| topic | obesity hypertension risk factors young adults |
| url | http://www.libyanjournalofmedicine.net/index.php/ljm/article/view/19222/pdf_1 |
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