Lifestyle practices and cardiovascular diseases risk: a case study of young adults between 18-30 years in Mulago-Katale Village

Abstract

Introduction: Lifestyle factors play an important role in the etiology of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). A combination of genetic, physiological, lifestyle and environmental factors have been reported to be associated with cardiovascular diseases. Risk factors associated with CVDs are sedentary lifestyle, consumption of high fat diet, consumption of high carbohydrate diet, obesity and overweight, excessive alcohol consumption and excessive tobacco use. The objective of this study was therefore to assess the nutritional knowledge achieved and lifestyle practices that influence CVDs risk among young adults 18-30 years in Mulago Katale village. Methodology: The study was cross-sectional and was conducted in Mulago Katale Village. 60 respondents aged 18-30 years were conveniently selected to participate in this study. Interviewer administered questionnaires were used. The collected data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Frequencies of the different nutrition behaviors were summarized in frequency tables and charts. Relationships between nutrition knowledge and involvement in risky and/or alleviatory lifestyles were established using Chi square statistics. Results: Of all the participants, 56.7% were females and 43.3% were males. Sixty five percent of the respondents had no prior nutrition knowledge about cardiovascular diseases, 33.3% had some knowledge while 3.3% did not respond to this question. There was a significant association between nutrition knowledge and alcohol consumption (p< 0.005) and vegetable and fruit consumption and physical activity Conclusion: Nutrition knowledge among the different nutrition factors has an effect on the consumption of alcohol, fruits and vegetables, which in turn directly affects the development of CVDs among young adults.