Indian Heart Journal (Sep 2020)

Prevalence of cardiovascular health risk behaviors in college-going women in a major metropolis in India

  • Vaishnav Natarajan,
  • Tharani Sekar,
  • Priya Chockalingam

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 72, no. 5
pp. 451 – 453

Abstract

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There is an increasing incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Indian men and women of younger ages but research related to CVD risk behaviors in college-going women in India is limited. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey conducted among 554 students from two women's colleges in Chennai showed that there was an alarmingly high prevalence of unhealthy diet and inadequate exercise, a moderately high prevalence of psychosocial risk and a low prevalence of tobacco use and alcohol consumption. It is imperative to increase awareness and provide targeted interventions to help our young women adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle.

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