Blood Pressure, Excess Weight and Level of Physical Activity in Students of a Public University

Background: High blood pressure, excess weight and sedentary lifestyle are important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, and they are closely associated. Objective: To evaluate the nutritional status, level of physical activity and blood pressure levels of students of Universidade Federal do Piaui, Teresina, Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional study with a sample of 605 students (46.1% males and 53.9% females), with a mean age of 21.7 +/- 3.7 years. The nutritional status was classified according to body mass index (BM!), and central adiposity according to waist circumference (WC). The level of physical activity was evaluated using the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Elevated blood pressure was defined as systolic blood pressure >= 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure 90 mmHg. Results: The prevalence of elevated blood pressure was 9.7%, and was higher among men. Excess weight (BMI >= 25 kg/m(2)) was found in 18.2% of the students, with overweight and obesity rates of 15.2% and 3%, respectively Abdominal obesity was found in 2.4% of the students regardless of gender, and sedentary lifestyle in 52%. The mean blood pressure increased with increasing BMI and WC. No association was found between the levels of physical activity and blood pressure. Conclusion: An association of increased body weight and waist circumference with higher blood pressure levels was observed among the participants. Instruments for an early assessment of the cardiovascular risk and preventive advice should be established for these young individuals. (Arq Bras Cardiol 2010; 95(2) : 192-799)