Cardiometabolic Risk Factors Associated with Physical Fitness and Activity Levels: An Exploratory Study of US College Students.

Abstract

College students are a vulnerable population at risk of developing and/or experiencing poor physical fitness and insufficient physical activity (PA) levels, both associated with poor cardiometabolic health. Thus, this study assessed the association of physical fitness and domain-specific PA levels on cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRFs) among college students. A volunteer sample of students enrolled in general health and wellness courses at a large, Northeastern U.S. institution from Spring 2023 - Spring 2024 (n=1418, 69.0% male, 89.9% non-Hispanic White) completed an objective health assessment as part of a required course assignment. CMRFs (e.g., cholesterol, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, waist circumference), cardiorespiratory fitness (e.g., VO₂ max), and markers of muscular strength and endurance (e.g., pushups, curl ups, hand grip, sit and reach) were assessed. Participants were then invited to complete a subjective health assessment (e.g., demographics, PA). Separate, unadjusted linear regressions examined the association of physical fitness and domain-specific PA levels (e.g., moderate and vigorous PA, active transportation PA, muscle-strengthening, meeting PA guidelines) on CMRFs, by biological sex. Socio-demographics of race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, semester standing, and grade point average served as covariates in separate, adjusted models to assess potential associations. Among males and females, cardiorespiratory fitness and markers of muscular strength and endurance were significantly associated with CMRFs, while PA levels and socio-demographics were not. Tailored screening approaches may provide students with the required support to reduce later-life adverse coronary events. Future work is required to improve our understanding of the potential role socio-demographics play in CMRFs among young adults.