Health-promoting lifestyles and cardio-metabolic risk factors among international students in South Korea.
This study examined the health-promoting lifestyles and cardio-metabolic risks among international students in Korea. This descriptive, cross-sectional study design enrolled a convenience sample of 118 international students at a university in Korea. Collected data included items from the Health-promoting Lifestyle Profile (II) scale and cardiovascular risk factors. The participants had a moderately health-promoting lifestyle (2.5 of 4). Men engaged in more physical activity than did women (p = .002). The most prevalent risk factor was elevated blood lipid profiles (26.3%), followed by overweight/obesity (25.4%), elevated blood pressure (17.8%), and elevated fasting glucose levels (5.1%). More than half of the participants (54.2%) had one or more cardiac risk factors, and these participants also scored lower in health-promoting lifestyle factors than other students (p = .034). Regular health check-ups are needed to identify the cardio-metabolic risks of international students. A university-based programme aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles could help prevent cardio-metabolic risks among international students.
Chun-Ja
CJ
Kim
Jeewon
J
Park
Se-Won
SW
Kang
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000517:prevention & control; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000517:prevention & control; D006973:Hypertension / Q000517:prevention & control; D007393:International Educational Exchange / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D050177:Overweight / Q000517:prevention & control; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult