Associations of education with cardiovascular risk factors in young adults: the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study

Background Low educational level is associated with an increased risk of co ronary heart disease. The aim of the present study was to examine the relat ionships between education and common cardiovascular risk factors in young adults. Methods Trends in conventional risk factors of young adults aged 21, 24, 27 and 30 years in 1992 (n = 443) were examined across the educational groups as part of a 12-year follow-up study, the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Fin ns Study. Education was determined as participants' own educational level a nd as parental years of schooling. Results In males, subject's own education was related inversely and indepen dently of parental school years to serum rotal and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentration, smoking and body mass index. In females, p articipant's own educational level associated inversely with smoking and ph ysical inactivity. Parental school years was associated inversely and indep endently of one's own educational level with serum total and LDL cholestero l values and waist-hip ratio in females. In both genders, parental educatio n was a stronger determinant of diet (butter use) than one's own educationa l level. Conclusions The least educated young adults have adopted a more adverse lif estyle than the more educated. The risk factor profile in young adulthood, especially in females, is still affected by parental education. The influen ces of one's own and parental educational level on vascular risk profile sh ould be taken into consideration when planning public health campaigns amon g young adults.