Dietary Pattern and Risk Factors Associated with Cardiovascular Diseases Among Non-Academic Staffs of Bowen University, Iwo, Nigeria

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) encompass a spectrum of abnormal conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. The study assessed the dietary pattern and risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases. The study assessed 238 willing participants with the use of a pretested questionnaire to collect the respondents’ responses. Dietary pattern was assessed with the use of food frequency questionnaire, anthropometric measurements (weight, height, and body mass index) were assessed; and the respondents blood pressure was also measured with the use of sphygmomanometer. This study showed that more than half of the respondents (55.0%) are between 30 and 40 years old, while 34.0% are between 41 and 50 years. There are more females (55.0%) than males (45.0%) and majority of the respondents (95.4%) are Christians and Yorubas (77.7%). The majority (46.6%) have normal body mass index, 33.6% are overweight, 15.1% are obese, and a lesser percentage of the respondents (4.6%) are underweight. More than half (54.8%) have normal blood pressure, 84% do not consume alcohol and 99.6% do not smoke. It was also found that there is no association between the respondents' lifestyle practice and anthropometric status. Conclusively, the majority have a normal body mass index and blood pressure, and practice healthy habits like not consuming alcohol or smoking. The lack of association between lifestyle practices and anthropometric status is an interesting finding that could warrant further investigation.