Background: In this observational study, we aimed to see whether
transition in Saudi students entering university life could be a
breeding stage for cardiometabolic risk factor emergence and clustering.
Methods: A total of 1878 apparently healthy Saudi students of the
Preparatory Year, King Saud University, Riyadh, KSA (1112 men and 766
women) spanning 2 academic years were included. They were divided into 2
groups based on the validated perceived stress test (PST).
Anthropometrics were obtained and fasting blood samples were collected
for measurement of fasting blood glucose and a lipid profile.
Results: PST score (>27) considered indicative of stress was noted in
44.4% of students. The prevalence of this score was higher in women
than in men (49.7% versus 40.7%). The prevalence of obesity,
hypertension and dyslipidemia was significantly higher in men than women
(p < 0.01), and this was even more apparent among stressed men, who had
a significantly higher prevalence of all the above cardiometabolic
factors than the non-stressed ones (p < 0.01).
Conclusion: Perceived stress is alarmingly high among Saudi students
entering universities. This study sheds light on the social
responsibility of universities in promoting a healthy lifestyle,
particularly in this age group, when exposure to different kinds of
stressors may result in body weight and metabolic changes
