Behavior Risk Factors Among Russian Students

Int Q Community Health Educ. 2017 Jan;37(2):93-98. doi: 10.1177/0272684X16685255. Epub 2017 Jan 19.

Abstract

Purpose To analyze the prevalence of risk factors among Russian students. Methods In this study, 834 students were included from five Federal universities which were localized in four Federal regions of Russian Federation. Future doctors, school teachers, and wellness trainers were included in this study. Students were specifically asked about smoking, physical activity International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and food preference. Waist, hip, weight, and height were measured. Results The region of study and ethnic group were not influenced with respect to age and body mass index ( p > .1), while all other factors had a significant influence ( p < .05). High levels of smoking, hypodynamia, and motivation to intake of unhealthy food were found in medical students in comparison with those in future teachers and wellness instructors ( p < .05). The indicators of central obesity (due to levels of body mass index and waist-hip ratio) were found in medical students. Perspective Special programs to prevent the most common behavior risk factors in future medical doctors have to be designed.

Keywords: Russian Federation; obesity; students.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Body Mass Index
  • Body Weights and Measures
  • Ethnicity
  • Exercise*
  • Female
  • Food Preferences*
  • Health Behavior*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Motivation
  • Obesity / epidemiology
  • Residence Characteristics
  • Risk Factors
  • Russia
  • Sedentary Behavior
  • Smoking / epidemiology*
  • Students / statistics & numerical data*
  • Universities
  • Young Adult