INTRODUCTION. Cardiovascular diseases are among the main causes of death in Poland and in many other countries. The performed epidemiological studies enabled to determine risk factors for these diseases. The number of overweight persons keeps increasing and this fact is of great medical concern among children and adolescents. The recognition of endocrine function of visceral fatty tissue pointed out the need for prevention the abdominal obesity, that is reflected in the criteria for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome recommended by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of occurence of some risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in a group of university students in Lublin.
MATERIAL AND METHODS. The study was conducted on a group of 250 students consisting of 182 females (K) and 68 males (M) aged 18 to 28 (the average age 21.5). All studied students were asked to fill in a specially prepared questionnaire to find out the information about the frequency of overweight, obesity, physical activity, smoking and eating habits. The obtained results were analysed statistically. RESULTS. Overweight or obesity were found in 12% of studied students, and it was more common among males (25.0% vs. 5.0%). An abdominal circumference that fulfilled the criteria for the diagnosis of a metabolic syndrome was found in 13% of males and 16% of females. More males than females were physically active (71.7% vs. 48.4%). Most of the students did not smoke but 19% were smokers, males more often than females (25.0% vs. 16.8%). The study also revealed unhealthy eating habits: irregular meals (12.7%) and eating between the meals (69.0%). The diet of 79.2% of students included sweets and of 36.0% - fast food. CONCLUSIONS. On the ground of the result analysis carried out in our study, it seems clear enough that the realization of widely understood education related to prevention of cardiovascular diseases amongst students is becoming the most important and constantly is of great significance.