The relationship between lifestyle, health promotion lifestyle profile ii and high blood pressure in university students

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Identifying and controlling systemic arterial blood pressure is important in young people, and it is possible to reduce the frequency of systemic arterial hypertension by improving the lifestyle. AIM: The aim of the study is to assess the relationship between healthy lifestyle behaviors and systemic blood pressure in university students. MATERIALS: The study sample consisted of 200 university students from a state university in Edirne. Lifestyles and habits were evaluated with Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile II. Students’ blood pressure was measured from both arms twice. RESULTS: The mean HPLP-II score of those who frequently feel good was significantly higher than those who rarely feel good. The mean score of those who frequently wake up between 06:00-09:00 in the morning was statistically significantly higher than those who wake up outside these hours. Those who perform social or artistic activities during their leisure times had a mean scale score higher than those who don’t perform. Although there wasn’t a statistically significant difference according to smoking status, the mean score of non-smokers was higher than smokers. The mean scale scores were higher in frequent salt users than non-frequent users; participants with low saturated fatty acid intake had higher scores than those with high intake, and rare fast food consumers had higher scores than frequent consumers. The statistically significant difference between blood pressure values of females and males was due to higher blood pressure in male students. Those working in a part-time job had higher blood pressure values than those who weren’t working. Among the students whose body mass indexes could be evaluated, there were differences in blood pressure values. CONCLUSION: It has been observed in our study that health-related responsibilities and lifestyle behaviours increase with better leisure time activities, improved eating habits and a positive outlook on life. Turning youngs’ tendencies towards healthy lifestyle behaviours to habits can make them healthier, more collective and more productive regarding physical, social and psychological well-being.