Prevalence of Obesity in Youth. A new epidemic. Study conducted on UEES medical students

Abstract

Obesity is associated with diseases such as diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemias, osteoarthritis and reproductive disorders. This has become an epidemic in the twentieth century Studies show the increase in the presence of obesity in adults and its relationship with the increase in morbitnortality, so it is important to determine its prevalence from youth. The objective was to determine the prevalence of obesity in young people, associated with cardiovascular risk factors, such as sedentary lifestyle Smoking, high blood pressure and a history of heart disease are familiar. The study is descriptive. The variables studied were: age, sex, cardiovascular family history, sedentary body mass index and hypertension. 118 students were evaluated. 62.7% (74) women. 66.39% are between 18 and 20 years old. 17.8% of students smoke 38.9% are sedentary and 37.3% have a cardiovascular family history. Smoking is more common in men (27.3% RSV. 12%). Sedentary lifestyle is more frequent in women (40.5% vs. 32.4%). 44% of students have a body mass index higher than the upper normal limit, being more frequent in male students (59%). From this study it can be concluded the presence of several modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, from youth, to smoking, sedentary lifestyle, hypertension and obesity. These data are important since they become predictors for adulthood, that is, if in youth there is overweight, high blood pressure, etc. it is most likely that in adulthood these factors will be present increasing the risk of cardiovascular cough events so you should work on primary prevention through education, medical students are expected to be health educators and it is important that they put into practice what they teach.