Systemic arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and physical inactivity in nursing students: a prospective longitudinal study

Objective: To evaluate changes in the proportion of nursing students with hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and physical inactivity throughout the undergraduate program. Methods: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted with first-year nursing students from a Brazilian university, followed over four years. Sociodemographic, clinical, anthropometric, blood pressure, lipid, and glycemic data were collected and analyzed using Generalized Linear Mixed Models. Results: Total cholesterol declined in the first year but rose significantly in the second, while abnormal HDL levels progressively increased, particularly among women. Triglycerides tended to rise in the third year, with a protective effect among evangelical students. Obesity and BMI increased markedly, peaking in the final year; greater distance from the university was protective. Waist and neck circumference also rose. Physical inactivity remained stable; participation in intercollegiate athletics and extracurricular activities was protective, while other activities increased sedentary risk. Conclusion: The proportion of students with cardiovascular risk factors progressively worsened throughout the nursing program.