Coronary heart disease risk factors in college students.

More than one-half of young adults aged 18-24 y have at least 1 coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factor and nearly one-quarter have advanced atherosclerotic lesions. The extent of atherosclerosis is directly correlated with the number of risk factors. Unhealthy dietary choices made by this age group contribute to weight gain and dyslipidemia.

Dietary factors are associated with coronary heart disease risk factors in college students.

It is hypothesized that healthy dietary and physical activity choices will be inversely associated with coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors. Results from a cross-sectional study of 294 first-year University of Rhode Island students were used for the analyses. The presence of CHD risk factors was defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines.