Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease Among University Employees

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare cardiovascular disease risk among university employees (N = 47) with the general public as per National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data and American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommendations. METHODS: Health and wellness assessments were performed on public university employees comprised of body compositional analysis, blood lipid and glucose panels, dietary recalls, and blood pressure and then compared with the results of current NHANES data and ACSM recommendations using a one-way t-test and descriptive analysis. A three day dietary recall was also performed and compared with the U.S Department of Agriculture’s recommendations. RESULTS: Descriptive results indicated that the sample’s means were above recommended values for male age, body fat percentage, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and a diet too high in sodium and too low in calcium, fiber, and vitamin D. A one-way t-test indicated that the sample also had significantly higher diastolic blood pressure (p = .0008) and High Density Lipoprotein (p = .0005) and significantly lower blood glucose (p = .00001) than the national average. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the university employees were at significant risk for some cardiovascular disease risk factors and dietary choices, which indicates that they would benefit from health promotion programs that target those specific risk factors.