The occurrence of cardiovascular risk factors related to lifestyle in medical students
Abstract
Introduction: Knowledge about the importance of a healthy lifestyle in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases should be an integral part of the medical education of future physicians and other healthcare professionals. The aim of the study was to assess the presence of selected cardiovascular risk factors in comparison to cardioprotective factors in the group of students of the Medical University of Warsaw. Material and methods: The study was conducted using a lifestyle questionnaire based on the questionnaire developed at the Loma Linda University with the participation of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. It covered 280 students of medicine and physiotherapy. Results: Although 81% of the respondents have a normal BMI, 77% of the surveyed population does not eat the recommended 5 portions of vegetables and fruits a day. 44% of physiotherapy students and 32% of medical students do not attain the recommended minimum of 30 minutes a day of moderate or vigorous physical activity. 76 out of 212, i.e. almost 36% of students, declare using nicotine in the last year. Conclusions: Medical students are not free from lifestyle-related cardiovascular risk factors. The percentage of people using nicotine is high and further studies are needed to assess what factors contribute to the lack of adherence to healthy lifestyle recommendations among this group of respondents.
Keywords: lifestyle medicinecardiovascular riskmedical students
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