Abstract
The author collected data on serum cholesterol, blood pressure, and self-reported health behavior in 226 college students aged 18 to 26 years. Twenty-nine percent had undesirable total cholesterol levels, 10% had high cholesterol, 10% had high systolic blood pressure, and 11% had high diastolic blood pressure. Half or more of the participants consumed a diet high in saturated fats, engaged in binge drinking, had a parental risk for high cholesterol or blood pressure, or reported they experienced elevated stress levels. Men had higher risk-factor levels than women. Findings from a regression analysis revealed that smoking, binge drinking, lack of cardiovascular exercise, and eating a high saturated-fat diet were predictive of undesirable cholesterol levels. Study limitations included self-selection of participants and single measurements of blood pressure and cholesterol. Trained students served as screeners in the program for providing an effective, low-cost screening intervention.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 291-296 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of the American College Health Association |
Volume | 50 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 2002 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health