Prehypertension was present in 13.9% of university students in the Philippines and was associated with obesity, male gender, living arrangements, and being 19 years of age.
Cross-Sectional (n=754)
No
Prehypertension affects approximately 1 in 7 young adults in this Philippine university cohort and is significantly associated with established cardiovascular risk factors like obesity and male gender.
Prehypertension is a new category of blood pressure, and is considered a cardiovascular risk factor. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of prehypertension and its associated factors in young adults in the Philippines. Undergraduate university students from all areas of study in the University of the Philippines-Visayas were invited to participate. Prehypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure between 120 and 139 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure between 80 and 89 mm Hg. Blood pressure, anthropometric, health behavior, and psychosocial stress variables were measured. A total of 754 university students were included in the analysis. Prehypertension prevalence was 13.9% (36.1% in men, 6.8% in women), and hypertension prevalence was 2.4%. The condition of prehypertension was associated with body mass index obesity, male gender, living off campus on their own, living with parents or guardians, and 19 years of age. One out of every 7 young adults presented with prehypertension. This condition is associated with established risk factors.
Human Sciences Research Council (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Prehypertension (n=754). Prehypertension was present in 13.9% of university students in the Philippines and was associated with obesity, male gender, living arrangements, and being 19 years of age.