Relationship of physical activity to cardiovascular risk factors in an urban population of Nigerian adults

Background

The burden of chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease (CVD) is increasing rapidly in Nigeria, but fewer studies have evaluated the role of physical activity in the development of CVD in this country. We examined the relationship between health enhancing physical activity and risk factors of CVD in a working population of adults in Maiduguri, Nigeria.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study, we assessed health enhancing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among 292 government employees (age: 20–65 years, 40% female, 24% obese and 79.8% response) using the self-administered version of International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF). Time spent in walking and sitting during occupational activity was assessed as well. Anthropometric measurement of height, weight and waist circumference, and blood pressure were also measured. Independent t-test and One- Way ANOVA were conducted, and the relationships between MVPA and body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure and heart rate were explored using Pearson correlations coefficients and multiple regression analyses.

Results

The mean time spent in health enhancing MVPA (116.4 ± 101.3 min/wk) was lower than the recommended guideline of 150 min/wk sufficient for health benefits. Compared with men, more women were less physically active, obese and reported more diagnoses of component of metabolic syndrome (p < 0.05). Participants whose work activities were highly sedentary tend to accumulate less minutes of MVPA compared with those who reported their work as moderately active or highly active (p < 0.001). Health enhancing MVPA was inversely related with body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, heart rate, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Physical activity level of the working population of Nigerian adults was low and was related with adverse risk factors for CVD. Promoting health enhancing physical activity at work places may be important for prevention and control of CVD among the working population in Maiduguri, Nigeria.     

Associations between overall physical activity level and cardiovascular risk factors in an adult population

Background It is well established that physical activity level is inversely associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and with all-cause mortality. However, the dose–response relationship between physical activity and other cardiovascular disease risk factors is not fully understood. The aim of the present study was to explore the dose–response relationship between daily physical activity, as measured by a metabolic equivalent score, and BMI, waist circumference, waist hip ratio, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Methods A total of 1693 men and women, 33–64 years of age, from the 3 year follow-up of a population-based intervention study, were included in this cross-sectional study. Information on physical activity and other lifestyle factors was obtained by self-report questionnaire. Associations between activity level and biological variables were explored by general linear regression. Results Data from 835 (51%) men and 805 (49%) women were included. Mean age was 50.8 years (33–64). A significant inverse association between average 24-hour physical activity level ≤45 METs and waist circumference (men p = 0.012, women p = 0.011), BMI (p = 0.0004), waist-hip-ratio (p = 0.002) and triglycerides (p = 0.0001) was found as well as a positive association with HDL (p = <0.0001). In those with an activity level above 45 METs there were no associations. No association was found with total cholesterol, LDL, systolic or diastolic blood pressure. Conclusion This study suggests a linear dose–response relationship between activity level and certain biological cardiovascular risk factors up to a threshold of a daily 24 h MET-score of 45, which corresponds to a moderate physical activity level. Electronic Supplementary Material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

C‐reactive protein: an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease in Aboriginal Australians

Objectives: We assessed the independent contribution of C‐reactive protein to the risk of cardiovascular disease in Aboriginal Australians. Methods: High sensitivity CRP levels were measured in 705 Aboriginal participants aged 20–74 years free from CVD at baseline. Participants were followed for a median of 11 years. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the association of CRP with the risk of developing CVD events. Results: A total of 114 participants were diagnosed with CVD. Incidence rates were 5.4 and 21.4 per 1,000 person‐years for the lower (<3 mg/l) and the higher (≥3 mg/l) CRP groups, respectively. After adjusting for age, sex, total cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, smoking status, diabetes, BMI and waist circumference, the association between CRP and CVD remained significant, with a hazard ratio of 2.40 (95% CI: 1.25, 4.62) for the higher CRP group relative to the lower CRP group. The population attributable risk was 52% (95% CI: 14%, 74%). Conclusions: CRP is an independent predictor of CVD in Aboriginal people. A large proportion of CVD cases are associated with elevated CRP levels. Therefore, controlling the conditions that cause inflammation may be beneficial to cardiovascular health in Aboriginal communities.     

Defining health-related obesity in prepubertal children

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to develop percentage of fat and waist circumference cut-points in prepubertal children with the intention of defining obesity associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A cross-sectional analysis of 87 prepubertal children aged 4 to 11 years was used. Percentage of body fat was determined by DXA. Waist circumference was measured to the nearest millimeter. Receiver Operating Characteristic analyses of percentage of fat and waist circumference were used to develop cut-points for individuals with adverse levels of CVD risk factors. RESULTS: The risk factors selected for analyses (i.e., fasting insulin, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) were significantly related to percentage of body fat and waist circumference. Likelihood ratios were used to identify percentage of fat and waist circumference cut-points associated with adverse cardiovascular risk profiles. Two cut-points, an upper cut-point of 33% body fat and a lower cut-point of 20% body fat, were derived. Waist circumference cut-points indicative of adverse and normal risk-factor profiles were 71 cm and 61 cm, respectively. DISCUSSION: The data indicate that children with > or =33% body fat and children with a waist circumference > or =71 cm were more likely to possess an adverse CVD risk-factor profile than a normal risk-factor profile. The likelihood of children with < 20% body fat or a waist circumference < 61 cm possessing an adverse CVD risk-factor profile as opposed to a normal risk-factor profile was small. The cut-points describe an adequate health-related definition of childhood obesity.     

Divergent associations of plasma choline and betaine with components of metabolic syndrome in middle age and elderly men and women

Choline is involved in the synthesis of phospholipids, including blood lipids, and is the immediate precursor of betaine, which serves as a methyl group donor in a reaction converting homocysteine to methionine. Several cardiovascular risk factors are associated with plasma homocysteine, whereas little is known about their relationship to choline and betaine. We examined the relation of plasma choline and betaine to smoking, physical activity, BMI, percent body fat, waist circumference, blood pressure, serum lipids, and glucose in a population-based study of 7074 men and women aged 47-49 and 71-74 y. Overall plasma concentrations (means +/- SD) were 9.9 +/- 2.3 micromol/L for choline and 39.5 +/- 12.5 micromol/L for betaine. Choline and betaine were lower in women than in men and in younger subjects compared with older (P < 0.0001). Multivariate analyses showed that choline was positively associated with serum triglycerides, glucose, BMI, percent body fat, waist circumference (P < 0.0001 for all), and physical activity (P < 0.05) and inversely related to HDL cholesterol (P < 0.05) and smoking (P < 0.0001). Betaine was inversely associated with serum non-HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, BMI, percent body fat, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.0001 for all), and smoking (P < 0.05) and positively associated with HDL cholesterol (P < 0.01) and physical activity (P < 0.0001). Thus, an unfavorable cardiovascular risk factor profile was associated with high choline and low betaine concentrations. Choline and betaine were associated in opposite directions with key components of metabolic syndrome, suggesting a disruption of mitochondrial choline dehydrogenase pathway.     

Visceral adiposity and subclinical atherosclerosis in healthy young men

Abstract

Background: Atherosclerosis begins in childhood and develops silently for decades before clinical events such as myocardial infarction or stroke occur. Only few studies have evaluated the relationship between CVD risk factors and carotid artery Intimal Media Thickness (IMT) in young asymptomatic people. Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate risk factors for cardiovascular disease associated with higher Carotid Intimal Media Thickness (IMT) in healthy young subjects. Methods: A cohort of 106 healthy young men, mean age 21?±?2 years (mean?±?SD), BMI 24.4?±?2.8 (kg/m²), on military duty, participated in this cross-sectional study. Waist circumference, carotid intima–media thickness (IMT), blood pressure, and plasma concentrations of relevant metabolic parameters were measured at fasting. Smoking and habitual dietary patterns were evaluated by a semiquantitative questionnaire. Results: The population was divided into two groups on the basis of IMT values: the lowest three quartiles versus the highest quartile (cut-off value?=?0.7?mm). BMI, waist circumference, systolic (SBP), and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure were significantly higher in the group with higher IMT (p?=?0.02). All other variables, including dietary parameters and smoking, were similar in the two groups. Data analysis showed that IMT values correlated positively with SBP (r?=?0.22; p?=?0.025), DBP (r?=?0.27; p?=?0.005), waist circumference (r?=?0.29; p?=?0.002), and fat mass (r?=?0.24; p?=?0.01), and negatively with kcal/kg of body weight (r?=??0.220.22; p?=?0.022) – an indirect marker of physical activity. Based on multiple regression analysis, waist circumference and DBP were the only variables independently associated with IMT (p?=?0.029). Conclusions: In a non-selected sample of healthy young adult males, a larger waist circumference and a higher diastolic blood pressure – albeit within normal values – are the only parameters independently associated with higher IMT.     

Tobacco Exposure,Weight Status,and Elevated Blood Pressure in Adolescents

The pathogenesis of hypertension begins in youth. An estimated 4 % of US adolescents have diagnosed hypertension and 17 % have elevated blood pressures, predisposing them to hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD) later in life. There is limited research on the clustering of CVD risk factors such as tobacco exposure and weight status that may be associated with high blood pressure in adolescents. The aim of this exploratory study was to determine the relationships between total smoke exposure (TSE; cigarette smoking and secondhand smoke), waist circumference, and blood pressure in a sample of rural adolescents, ages 15–18. A convenience sample of 148 adolescents ages 15–18 was recruited from two rural high schools (88 female and 60 male, all Caucasian). Adolescents were assessed for tobacco exposure (self-report, salivary cotinine), weight status (body mass index, waist circumference), and blood pressure. Self-report measures of tobacco exposure included the Uptake Continuum and Peer and Family Smoking measure. Age, gender, waist circumference and salivary cotinine contributed to 35 % of the variance in systolic blood pressure and 18 % in diastolic blood pressure. One-fourth (25 %) of adolescent males and 11 % of adolescent females had elevated systolic blood pressures. Approximately one-fifth of the sample (22 %) had elevated salivary cotinine levels indicative of tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure. TSE and waist circumference were predictors of elevated blood pressure in adolescents. Public health measures need to address clusters of risk factors including blood pressure, tobacco exposure, and weight status among adolescents in order to reduce CVD.     

Lower estimates of δ-5 desaturase and elongase activity are related to adverse profiles for several metabolic risk factors in young Japanese women

Little is known about the relation between the activities of certain enzymes involved in endogenous fatty acid synthesis and metabolic risk factors, particularly in young adults and non-Western populations. In this cross-sectional study, we examined the associations between estimated desaturase and elongase activities and metabolic risk factors in young Japanese women. The subjects were 640 female Japanese dietetic students aged 18 to 22 years. Body height and weight, from which body mass index (BMI) was derived, waist circumference, and blood pressure were measured. Fasting blood samples were collected for biochemical and fatty acid measurements. Desaturase and elongase enzyme activities were estimated as the ratio of product to precursor of individual fatty acids in serum lipids. δ-9 desaturase activity was positively associated with BMI, diastolic blood pressure, total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triacylglycerol and was negatively associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P ≤ .019). δ-6 desaturase activity showed positive associations with BMI, systolic blood pressure, triacylglycerol, and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (P ≤ .045). δ-5 desaturase activity showed independent negative associations with BMI, systolic blood pressure, triacylglycerol, insulin, and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (P ≤ .007). Elongase activity was associated negatively with BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and triacylglycerol and was positively associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P ≤ .026). In conclusion, increased estimates of δ-9 and δ-6 desaturase activity and decreased estimates of δ-5 desaturase and elongase activity were associated with adverse profiles for several metabolic risk factors in young Japanese women.     

慢性肾脏病患者中体力活动与死亡风险的前瞻性关联研究

目的 探究中国成年慢性肾脏病（CKD）患者中体力活动与全因死亡、心血管疾病（CVD）死亡和CKD死亡风险的前瞻性关联。方法 利用中国慢性病前瞻性研究基线调查的数据,采用Cox比例风险回归模型分析总体力活动、不同类型、不同强度体力活动水平与全因死亡、CVD死亡、CKD死亡风险的关联。结果 共纳入6 676名CKD患者,随访时间M（Q₁,Q₃）为11.99（11.13,13.03）年,死亡698名（10.46%）。与总体力活动水平最低组相比,总体力活动水平最高组全因死亡、CVD死亡、CKD死亡风险较低,风险比（HR）值（95%CI）分别为0.61（0.47~0.80）、0.40（0.25~0.65）、0.25（0.07~0.85）。工作、交通、家务相关体力活动与全因死亡、CVD死亡风险呈不同程度的负相关。其中,与工作相关体力活动水平最低组相比,最高组全因死亡（HR=0.56,95%CI：0.38~0.82）、CVD死亡（HR=0.39,95%CI：0.20~0.74）风险较低;与交通相关体力活动水平最低组相比,最高组CVD死亡风险较低（HR=0.43,95%CI：0.22~0.84）;与家务相关体力活动水平最低组相比,最高组全因死亡（HR=0.61,95%CI：0.45~0.82）、CVD死亡（HR=0.44,95%CI：0.26~0.76）、CKD死亡（HR=0.03,95%CI：0.01~0.17）风险较低;未发现休闲相关体力活动与死亡风险间的关联。低强度、中高强度体力活动均与全因死亡、CVD死亡、CKD死亡风险呈负相关,低强度体力活动水平最高组对应的HR值（95%CI）分别为0.64（0.50~0.82）、0.42（0.26~0.66）、0.29（0.10~0.83）,中高强度体力活动水平最高组对应的HR值（95%CI）分别为0.63（0.48~0.82）、0.39（0.24~0.64）、0.23（0.07~0.73）。结论 体力活动可以降低CKD患者全因死亡、CVD死亡和CKD死亡的风险。     

The metabolic syndrome: recognition and management.

The National Cholesterol Education Program defines the metabolic syndrome as three or more of five abnormalities: waist circumference of >40 in (102 cm) for men or >35 in (88 cm) for women, triglyceride level of > or =150 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol of <40 mg/dL in men or <50 mg/dL in women, blood pressure of > or =130 or > or =85 mm Hg, and fasting glucose of > or =110 mg/dL. It is related to insulin resistance, but the two terms are not synonymous. Both are associated strongly with obesity. The metabolic syndrome is important as an indicator of increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with and without clinical CVD. The CVD risk of the metabolic syndrome is greater than that conferred by any single CVD risk factor. Since risk factors tend to cluster, if one component of the metabolic syndrome is present, one should assess for other risk factors. The metabolic syndrome is also predictive of new-onset type 2 diabetes. Early diagnosis provides justification for measures that can improve components of the syndrome and reduce CVD risk. The management strategy for metabolic syndrome focuses on overall CVD risk rather than single risk factors; effective therapy includes priority for weight reduction and increased physical activity. Pharmacotherapy is typically needed for control of high blood pressure, hypercoagulability, and increased levels of blood glucose and triglycerides.     

Association of Nut Consumption with Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in the 2008/2009 New Zealand Adult Nutrition Survey

Nut consumption has been associated with improvements in risk factors for chronic disease in populations within North America, Europe and Iran. This relationship has not been investigated in New Zealand (NZ). The associations between nut consumption and cardiometabolic risk factors among New Zealanders were examined. Data from the 24-h diet recalls of 4721 participants from the NZ Adult Nutrition Survey 2008/2009 (2008/2009 NZANS) were used to determine whole and total nut intake. Anthropometric data and blood pressure were collected, as well as blood samples analysed for total cholesterol (total-C) and HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), C-reactive protein (CRP) and folate. Participants were classified according to their five-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Both whole and total nut consumers had significantly lower weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and central adiposity than non-nut consumers (all p ≤ 0.044). Whole blood, serum and red blood cell folate concentrations were significantly higher among whole nut consumers compared to non-whole nut consumers (all p ≤ 0.014), with only serum folate higher in total nut consumers compared to non-total nut consumers (p = 0.023). There were no significant differences for blood pressure, total-C, HDL-C and HbA1c; however, significant negative associations between total nut consumption and CVD risk category (p < 0.001) and CRP (p = 0.045) were apparent. Nut consumption was associated with more favourable body composition and a number of risk factors, which could collectively reduce chronic disease.     

Association of overall and abdominal obesity with coronary heart disease risk factors: comparison between urban and rural Indian men

The relationship of body mass index (BMI), conicity index (CI) and waist circumference to four coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors (systolic and diastolic blood pressures, total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels) was examined in urban (n = 110) and rural (n = 102) men aged > or = 20 years, drawn from the 'Reddy' population of Southern Andhra Pradesh, India. Using ANCOVA we found significant difference (< 0.01) for systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol between the urban and rural samples. The Pearson's correlation coefficients suggest that BMI and waist circumference had significant relationships with most of the risk factors in both the populations. The CI did not significantly influence any of the risk factors in the urban population; however, in the rural population, CI did show a significant positive relationship with both of the blood pressures and with TC. Even after controlling for age, smoking and physical activity (partial correlations), the relations remained constant. In multiple linear regression, BMI showed significant positive association with systolic and diastolic blood pressures (<0.01) and HDL cholesterol (<0.05) in the rural population only. However, the Cl showed a significant association with HDL cholesterol, and waist circumference with total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol in the rural population. The results of the present study revealed that BMI and waist circumference had a greater influence on the CHD risk factors, and that the influence was more conspicuous in the rural sample. Comparing the association of abdominal obesity measures (CI and waist circumference) with CHD risk factors, waist circumference better correlated with most of the risk factors. Hence the present study suggests that BMI and waist circumference are better indicators of CHD risk factors. However, the importance of Cl has to be further studied in South Asian populations.     

Impact of Diets Rich in Whole Grains and Fruits and Vegetables on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Overweight and Obese Women: A Randomized Clinical Feeding Trial

Objective: Previous interventions have reported desirable effects of diets rich in whole grains or rich in fruits and vegetables on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and weight management. However, data are lacking regarding the effect of these fiber sources separately. The aim of this randomized clinical feeding trial was to investigate the effects of fiber-rich diets with different sources of fiber (fruits, vegetables, and whole grains) on weight loss and CVD risk factors in overweight and obese women.

Methods: Overweight and obese women (N = 75) were randomized to one of three weight loss diets that were rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables, or both for 10 weeks. Body weight, waist circumference, and risk factors of CVD were examined at baseline and 10 weeks.

Results: During the 10-week dietary intervention phase, the reductions in weight (p = 0.03), waist circumference (p = 0.001), systolic blood pressure (p = 0.04), fasting blood sugar (p = 0.03), and triglycerides (p = 0.001) were higher in the whole grains group compared with the fruits and vegetables group or the combination diet group. Also, the whole grain group had a greater increase (p = 0.01) in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol compared to the other groups. The change in other risk factors, including diastolic blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, was not different among the three diet groups. Within-group comparisons revealed significant reductions in weight, waist circumference, and fasting blood sugar in all groups. Only the fruits and vegetables group and the whole grains group had significant decreases in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol over 10 weeks (p ≤ 0.03).

Conclusions: This trial suggests that in overweight and obese women, a weight loss diet rich in whole grains may have a more beneficial effect on CVD risk factors than diets rich in fruits and vegetables or a combination of whole grains and fruits and vegetables.     

Physical activity and obesity: is there a difference in association between the Asian- and African- Surinamese adult population?

Objective: The role of different physical activity (PA) characteristics, i.e. domain, duration and intensity in obesity prevention still requires investigation. Furthermore, ethnicity can modify the effect of PA on body composition. Therefore, we aim to describe the association between obesity and PA characteristics across the Asian- and African-Surinamese population, living in the capital of Suriname.

Design: Between February 2013 and July 2015, we included 1157 healthy subjects, 18–70 years, from the Healthy Life in Suriname (HELISUR) study. We measured height, weight, hip and waist circumference and defined general and central obesity according to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess PA and to calculate the duration (minutes/week) and the total volume (METs-minutes/week) of activity. Ethnicity was self-reported.

Results: Out of 1157 participants we included 1079 (42.6% Asian-Surinamese, 40.1% African-Surinamese and 17.3% of other ethnicity), mean age 42.6?±?13.6 years for analysis. Obesity prevalence ratio (PR) was significantly lower in participants meeting WHO PA recommendations [PR=?0.81 (0.68–0.97)], especially within the commuting [PR=?0.66 (0.47–0.91)] and leisure time domains [PR=?0.67 (0.47–0.94)], compared to participants that did not meet the recommendations. Active minutes/week and total volume of activity were inversely associated with obesity and waist circumference, in the overall (p?<?0.05) and in the African-Surinamese population (p?<?0.05), but not in the Asian-Surinamese population.

Conclusion: Meeting PA recommendations, particularly within the commuting and leisure time domains, is associated with lower obesity prevalence in the total population. Among the African-Surinamese population, PA within the leisure time domain, more active minutes/week and higher levels of total volume are associated with a lower obesity prevalence. This is not found in the Asian-Surinamese population.     

中国九省居民膳食、体力活动与血压水平关系的纵向分析研究

目的 通过构建多水平模型,对中国九省居民饮食、体力活动与血压水平之间的关系进行纵向分析.方法 以"中国健康与营养调查"追踪调查项目中参加1997、2000、2004和2006年四轮调查中至少一次调查的18岁及以上成年人(男性6706名,女性7140名)为研究对象,分性别拟合包括个体和调查时间两个水平的发展模型,分析膳食中盐、蔬菜、水果、脂肪和蛋白质摄入量以及中重度体力活动时间对SBP和DBP的影响.结果 在调整年龄、教育程度、BMI、饮酒和能量摄入量等因素之后,四轮调查女性个体平均盐摄入量与SBP呈正相关(β=0.0481,s-x=0.0178,P＜0.01);男女性个体平均蔬菜摄入量与SBP呈负相关(P＜0.01),其回归系数估计值分别为-0.0063、-0.0068,即个体四次调查日均蔬菜摄入量每增加100 g,其SBP会降低0.6mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133kPa)以上,另外,男女性个体平均蔬菜摄入量同DBP亦呈负相关(P＜0.01).对同一调查时间的不同个体或不同调查时间的同一个体来说,男女性水果摄入量和SBP呈负相关,其回归系数估计值分别为-0.0029、-0.0031.中重度体力活动时间与男女性SBP和女性DBP均呈负相关(P＜0.05).不过,膳食总脂肪和蛋白质摄入量与血压水平之间并无关联.结论 膳食中盐、蔬菜和水果摄入量以及中重度体力活动时间与血压水平有关.限盐、增加蔬菜和水果摄入量、提高各项体力活动水平、积极控制体重等生活方式的转变是控制血压水平的重要方法.     

Effects of alcohol consumption and other lifestyle behaviors on blood pressure for the middle-aged and elderly in the Guangxi Hei Yi Zhuang and Han populations.

Han is the largest group and Zhuang is the largest minority among the 56 ethnic groups in China. Geographically and linguistically, Zhuang can be classified into 43 ethnic subgroups, in which Hei Yi Zhuang is proved to be the most conservative subgroup. Little is known about the relationship between alcohol consumption and blood pressure levels in this population. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to compare the effects of alcohol consumption and other lifestyle behaviors on blood pressure levels for the middle-aged and elderly in the Guangxi Hei Yi Zhuang and Han populations. A total of 657 subjects of Hei Yi Zhuang aged 40 and older were surveyed by a stratified randomized cluster sampling. Information on demography, diet, and other lifestyle factors was collected by standard questionnaires. Anthropometric parameters and serum lipid levels were also obtained in all subjects. The results were compared with those in 520 participants of Han Chinese from the same region. The levels of systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure in Hei Yi Zhuang were higher than those in Han (P < .01-.001). Hypertension was positively correlated with sex (male), age, physical activity, alcohol consumption, serum triglyceride levels, and total energy, total fat, and salt intakes, and negatively associated with educational level in Hei Yi Zhuang (P < .05-.001), whereas positively correlated with sex (male), age, physical activity, alcohol consumption, body mass index, waist circumference, serum total cholesterol levels, and total energy, total fat, and salt intakes, and negatively associated with educational level in Han (P < .05-.001). The difference in blood pressure levels between the two ethnic groups might result from different dietary habit, lifestyle, sodium intake, educational level, physical activity, and even genetic factors.     

Cardiovascular Health Metrics and All-cause and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Among Middle-aged Men in Korea: The Seoul Male Cohort Study

Objectives

This study estimated the association of cardiovascular health behaviors with the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in middle-aged men in Korea.

Methods

In total, 12 538 men aged 40 to 59 years were enrolled in 1993 and followed up through 2011. Cardiovascular health metrics defined the following lifestyle behaviors proposed by the American Heart Association: smoking, physical activity, body mass index, diet habit score, total cholesterol, blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose. The cardiovascular health metrics score was calculated as a single categorical variable, by assigning 1 point to each ideal healthy behavior. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to estimate the hazard ratio of cardiovascular health behavior. Population attributable risks (PARs) were calculated from the significant cardiovascular health metrics.

Results

There were 1054 total and 171 CVD deaths over 230 690 person-years of follow-up. The prevalence of meeting all 7 cardiovascular health metrics was 0.67%. Current smoking, elevated blood pressure, and high fasting blood glucose were significantly associated with all-cause and CVD mortality. The adjusted PARs for the 3 significant metrics combined were 35.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 21.7 to 47.4) and 52.8% (95% CI, 22.0 to 74.0) for all-cause and CVD mortality, respectively. The adjusted hazard ratios of the groups with a 6-7 vs. 0-2 cardiovascular health metrics score were 0.42 (95% CI, 0.31 to 0.59) for all-cause mortality and 0.10 (95% CI, 0.03 to 0.29) for CVD mortality.

Conclusions

Among cardiovascular health behaviors, not smoking, normal blood pressure, and recommended fasting blood glucose levels were associated with reduced risks of all-cause and CVD mortality. Meeting a greater number of cardiovascular health metrics was associated with a lower risk of all-cause and CVD mortality.     

The association between cheese consumption and cardiovascular risk factors among adults

Background Although current dietary guidelines recommend limiting foods high in fat and saturated fat, such as high‐fat dairy, the effect of cheese consumption on body composition and cardiovascular risk factors is largely unknown. Methods Participants from a US population‐based survey, NHANES III, aged 25–75 years who completed a food frequency questionnaire and had measures of body composition and cardiovascular risk factors were included (n = 10 872). Linear regression was used to compare anthropometrics, blood lipids, blood pressure and blood glucose across categories of cheese consumption (combined full and low‐fat). Results In women, more frequent cheese consumption was associated with higher HDL‐C and lower LDL‐C (p for trend, < 0.05). However, in men, more frequent cheese consumption was associated with a higher body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, HDL‐C and LDL‐C, and diastolic blood pressure (p for trend, < 0.05). Men consuming 30 + servings/month had significantly higher BMI, waist circumference, and diastolic blood pressure compared to nonconsumers (P < 0.05). Conclusions More frequent cheese consumption was associated with less favourable body composition and cardiovascular risk profile in men, but with a more favourable cardiovascular risk profile in women. However, the type of cheese consumed by men and women may have differed resulting in opposing trends on body composition and cardiovascular risk factors.     

Food preference questionnaire as a screening tool for assessing dietary risk of cardiovascular disease within health risk appraisals

OBJECTIVE: Nutrition components of health risk appraisals (HRAs) aim to rapidly and accurately assess dietary behaviors that increase disease risk. Because cognitive research suggests that recalling food likes/dislikes may be simpler and more accurate than recalling intake, we tested whether a preference measure was predictive of cardiovascular disease risk factors within an HRA. METHODS: HRA participants (422 primarily non-Hispanic white men, mean age 46+/-10 years) from a manufacturing company completed surveys to assess fat and sweet food/beverage preference; frequency of consuming fat and sweet foods/beverages, alcoholic beverages, fiber-rich foods (whole grains, fruits, and vegetables); and physical activity. Per measured risk factors, 34% had central obesity (waist circumference>or=102 cm), 32% had hypertension (>or=140 and/or>or=90 mm Hg), 52% had prehypertension (>or=120 to 139 and/or>or=80 to 89 mm Hg), and 52% had an elevated total cholesterol level (>or=200 mg/dL [5.2 mmol/L]). STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Multiple linear regression models explaining variability in waist circumference, blood pressure, and serum lipids were tested. RESULTS: Although preference and intake pairs for fat and sweets were significantly correlated, intake of fat and sweets failed to associate significantly with any risk factor. Significant variance in waist circumference was explained by age, fat preference, fiber intake, and physical activity. Those with greater circumferences liked fat more, consumed less fiber, and exercised less. Waist circumference in turn contributed significantly to models predicting serum lipid levels and blood pressure. Alcohol intake explained variability in serum lipid levels-higher intakes were associated with higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The models predicting risk were generally more explanatory in younger (<50 years) than in older men. CONCLUSIONS: Including a preference measure within an HRA appears to enhance cardiovascular disease risk factor assessment. Fat preference, intake of fiber-rich foods, and alcohol proved the best dietary determinants of cardiovascular disease risk factors.