LIFESTYLE-RELATED CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS AMONG STUDENTS OF A HEALTH SCIENCE UNIVERSITY IN NIGERIAN

Rising young adult hypertension demands population-specific data to guide targeted prevention. We assessed the prevalence of modifiable cardiovascular risk behaviours among undergraduate students at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL).

This cross-sectional study at CMUL used a structured questionnaire to evaluate tobacco, alcohol, physical activity, and dietary intakes (fruits, vegetables, sugar, salt, cholesterol) against standard guidelines. Sex-based variations were analyzed using chi-square and Fisher's exact tests.

Among 310 participants (38.7% male; mean age 21.4 ± 2.2 years), high salt intake (91.3%), inadequate fruit/vegetable intake (85.2%), high sugar intake (75.5%), and physical inactivity (53.5%) predominated. Conversely, current alcohol use was low (12.6%), and none smoked tobacco. Food vendors supplied 46.5% of meals. Females experienced significantly higher rates of high sugar intake (80.5% vs. 67.5%, p=0.010) and inadequate physical activity (63.2% vs. 38.3%, p<0.0001) than males.

Cardiovascular dietary and physical inactivity risks are highly prevalent among these students. Institutional interventions, including subsidized healthy university cafeterias and accessible sports facilities, are recommended to mitigate these risks.