Socio-economic Determinants, Behavioural Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Diseases and Nutritional Anthropometry of Students of Public Tertiary Institutions in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is becoming common among younger age-groups and both socio-economic and behavioural risk factors play major role in CVDs development.
Objective: To assess socio-economic determinant, behavioural risk factors for CVDs and nutritional anthropometry of students in public tertiary institutions in Abeokuta.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 350 respondents using stratified random sampling. Data on socio-economic and behavioural risk factors (smoking, alcohol consumption and physical activity status) were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Dietary habit was assessed using a validated adapted questionnaire, nutritional anthropometry (body weight, height, waist and hip circumferences) were measured using standard procedures. Data were analysed for descriptive statistics. Chi-square and
Pearson's correlation were used to test for association among variables using statistical package for social science, version 20.
Results: Only 4.9% respondents smoke, 40.9% consume alcohol, 65.5% engage in physical activity 90.3% skipped meal, 65.9% consumed carbonated beverages (CB) for >2 days/week, 28.6% snacked on fried and sweet foods for >2 days/week, 64.5% consumed fried foods for >2 days/week. Underweight and overweight were more prevalent in females (16.1% and 16.4%) than male (6.1% and 13.7%), while obesity was more prevalent in males (9.2%) than females (5.9%). Estimated monthly income was associated with
dietary habit, consumption of CB and alcohol were associated with BMI, smoking and dietary habit were associated with abdominal obesity (AO).
Conclusion:Socio-economic and behavioural risk factors significantly contribute to overweight and obesity which are risk factors for CVDs and other non-communicable diseases.