Ideal cardiovascular health behaviors among college students in Baoding: a cross-sectional study

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the current status of ideal cardiovascular health behaviors among college students.Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among 3 universities in Baoding.The current status of ideal health behaviors was analyzed,based on the definition of ideal health behaviors developed by the American Heart Association (AHA).Results Only 2.9% of college students met all 4 ideal health behaviors.The prevalence of "ideal" smoking,body mass index (BMI),exercise and diet was 84.1%,84.8%,11.3% and 32.0%,respectively.Higher proportion of ideal smoking status was found in female,medicine-major students and those from rural areas,or have taken health-related courses(x2=165.477,44.732,12.133,9.365,P<0.05).The proportion of ideal BMI was higher in female than male students(x2=24.824,P<0.05).Male college students and those with no CVD family history had higher proportion of ideal exercise(x2 =40.387,5.509,P<0.05).The proportion of ideal diet was higher in students who were non-medical students or have taken health-related courses (x2 =6.008,5.153,P<0.05).Conclusion The proportion of ideal exercise and diet in college students is relatively low.Cardiovascular health education should pay more attention to exercise and diet,and adapt specific strategies for college students with different characteristics.