Abstract

Aim: Metabolic risk and cardiovascular diseases are potentially modifiable. To determine anthropometric indicators, the physical fitness level, and lifestyles of the students of the University of Talca, Chile. Methods: One thousand two hundred students between the ages 18 and 26 (55.7% women) participated in the study. They were evaluated according to anthropometric parameters and physical fitness. Results: 26.6% of the participants had a body mass index above 25 kg/m2, and 9.4% had a waist circumference with increased risk. The 70% of the student participants reported doing sedentary activities in their free time, with 90% reporting that they do not do physical activity because of lack of time, excessive studying, disinterest, and laziness. Conclusion: In this study, there is a high probability that the students will contract different metabolic and cardiovascular diseases in the future given the high rates of sedentarism, excess weight or obesity and poor physical condition demonstrated.