Lifestyle disease risk factors among first year medical students in Bareilly.

ABSTRACT

Background & Objectives: Life style related risk factors are mainly implicated for increased burden of cardio- vascular diseases. Early identification of these risk factors especially among medical students is essential, considering their role as future physicians and role models in public health intervention. Prevalence of lifestyle related risk factors among the medical students of Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital, Bareilly was studied. Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out among the first year medical students of Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital, Bareilly after taking ethical clearance from institutional ethical committee and informed consent of students. A structured pretested questionnaire was used to collect detailed information about the subjects’ self-reported behavioral and lifestyle associated risk factors for (Tobacco use, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity and type of diet), the measurement of subject’s blood pressure and anthropometrical parameters. Results: Out of the 99 respondents, nearly 30.3% of students had a family history of hypertension while 41.4% had a family history of diabetes. Nearly one third were found to be overweight. The prevalence of hypertension was 24.2%. Nearly 14.1% respondents had a smoking habit while 8.1% consumed tobacco in smokeless form. About 10.1% students admitted that they had consumed alcohol during the last one year. Only one third of the respondents did regular physical exercise. A higher proportion of respondents (53.4%) were vegetarians. Most of students (83.8 %) added extra salt to their cooked food items. Also a higher proportion of respondents had an adverse food intake (56.6%). Conclusion: Early identification of lifestyle risk factors and their modification among medical students is required.