Association of cardiovascular health with anthropometric markers, cardiorespiratory fitness and quality of life of university workers

Objective: To evaluate cardiovascular health (CVH) in university workers at a higher education institution in relation to other health-related factors. Methods: Cross-sectional study consisting of 121 workers. CVH was assessed by seven measures [food consumption, physical activity level (PAL), smoking, total cholesterol, blood glucose, systemic blood pressure (BP), and body mass index (BMI)]. The independent variables waist circumference (WC), waist-hip ratio (WHR), HDL-c, LDL-c, triglycerides, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), workload, and health related quality of life (HRQoL) were assessed. Results: Overall, 25% of the sample had poor CVH. The ideal CVH group had lower WC (p<0.001) and WHR (p<0.001), and higher VO2max (p=0.041). The physical component score was higher in the groups with intermediate (p=0.036) and ideal (p=0.002) CVH. Daily workload was higher in the poor CVH group (p=0.05). CVH score was directly related to VO2max (p=0.001) and physical component (p=0.020), and inversely related to WC (p<0.001), WHR (p<0.001), LDL-c (p<0.001), and triglycerides (p< 0.001). Conclusion: Implementation of educational practices, and promotion of physical activity, adequate dietary intake, and other lifestyle habits can help to improve CVH and the physical component of HRQoL.