ANTHROPOMETRY AND LIFESTYLE AS PREDICTORS OF CARDIOVASCULAR RISK IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death in Brazil, factors involving poor lifestyle habits and family history increase the likelihood of its development. The aim of this study was to analyze anthropometric measurements and lifestyle of university students as predictors of cardiovascular risk. This is a crosssectional study. Data were collected from 157 pharmacy students at the Federal University of Piauí, during the months of November 2022 to February 2023. Participants answered a questionnaire, and then anthropometric measurements were verified. In women, the most prevalent factors were family history of diabetes mellitus 86.54%, sedentary lifestyle 60.58%, overweight 24.04% and high systolic blood pressure (12.50%). In men, family history of diabetes prevailed 88.68%, sedentary lifestyle 52.83%, high systolic blood pressure 37.76% and overweight 35.90%. It was concluded that a large number of students had factors associated with cardiovascular risk.