title: Unhealthy nutritional habits in university students are a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the relationship between the nutritional habits of university students with health parameters related to cardiovascular risk.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three hundred and twelve students (180 females and 132 males; mean age 21.1 +/- 2.8 years) attending King Saud University, Riyadh, KSA were randomly selected from the university register and invited to participate in the study during 2008-2009. Students who consented to participate completed a self-reported questionnaire including: nutritional screen, health habits, and lifestyle practice. Daily food consumption was recorded, and nutritional analysis was performed. Blood pressure (BP) was also measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A quarter of students was found to be overweight (21%) or obese (6.5%). The percentage of overweight and obese male students was 23% and 7% compared with female students who were 19% overweight and 6% obese. There was a positive correlation between fat consumption and BMI as well as BP in both genders, between economical status and BMI (p=0.05), and between salty food and BP (p=0.05). There was a negative correlation between consumption of fiber, grains, vegetables, fruits, beans, and BMI as well as BP in both genders (p=0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that lifestyle modification is important especially in young age groups. The preventive interventions should focus not only on obesity, but also on related diseases. There is a need for strategies and coordinated efforts to reduce the tendency of overweight and obesity among college students.
authors.affiliation: Food Science & Nutrition Department, Food Science & Agriculture College, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Fadia Y
authors.initials: FY
authors.lastname: Abdel-Megeid
authors.forename: Hala M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Abdelkarem
authors.forename: Aisha M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: El-Fetouh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities