Health-promoting lifestyles and cardio-metabolic risk factors among international students in South Korea. Issue 2 (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Chun-Ja; Park, JeeWon; Kang, Se-Won
• Is Part Of: Collegian. Volume 22:Issue 2(2015)
• Page Start: 215
• Page End: 223
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Nursing -- Australia -- Periodicals; 610.73099405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.colegn.2014.09.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1322-7696

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="author" id="abs0005"> <title id="sect0005">Summary</title> <sec> <p id="spar0005">This study examined the health-promoting lifestyles and cardio-metabolic risks among international students in Korea. This descriptive, cross-sectional study design enrolled a convenience sample of 118 international students at a university in Korea. Collected data included items from the Health-promoting Lifestyle Profile (II) scale and cardiovascular risk factors. The participants had a moderately health-promoting lifestyle (2.5 of 4). Men engaged in more physical activity than did women (<italic>p</italic> = .002). The most prevalent risk factor was elevated blood lipid profiles (26.3%), followed by overweight/obesity (25.4%), elevated blood pressure (17.8%), and elevated fasting glucose levels (5.1%). More than half of the participants (54.2%) had one or more cardiac risk factors, and these participants also scored lower in health-promoting lifestyle factors than other students (<italic>p</italic> = .034). Regular health check-ups are needed to identify the cardio-metabolic risks of international students. A university-based programme aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles could help prevent cardio-metabolic risks among international students.</p> </sec> </abstract>