Metabolic Syndrome Risk, Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors, and Physical Activity Levels of University Students

Abstract

Objective: The goal of this study is to compare metabolic syndrome risk, healthy lifestyle behaviors, and physical activity levels among university students. Methods: This research was conducted as a descriptive cross-sectional study, consisting of university nursing and midwife students (n = 375), with a total of 264 students who participated voluntarily. Data were obtained via International Physical Activity Questionnaires, Type-II Diabetes Mellitus Risk Questionnaires, the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale-II, biochemical tests, as well as liver and carotid Doppler ultrasonography. Results: The questionnaires showed that 54.3% had insulin resistance, 15.5% had impaired glucose intolerance, 6% had microalbuminuria, and 15.97% had a fatty liver (grade I-II). Totally, 40.68% of the students were inactive, and the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale-II mean score was 129.75 ± 17.43. There was a statistically significant difference between microalbuminuria and physical activity groups, as well as triglyceride values and the physical activity groups. Conclusions: It was determined that some students had previously undiagnosed insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, fatty livers, and microalbuminuria. The study showed that the university students had metabolic syndrome risk despite being a younger generation.