Prevalence and risk factors of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in the rural and urban population of Tunisia

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus was analyzed from a baseline survey of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in a random sample of the 35-50-year old population of the Gouvernorat of Nabeul, Tunisia. METHODS: Diabetes was assessed on the basis of an interview and fasting blood glucose level among a sample of 692 men and women (35% aged 35-40 years, 30% aged 40-45 years, 35% aged 45-50 years). RESI;TS: Forty-six percent of the sample were men. The prevalence of diabetes was 7.2%; two-thirds of the identified cases of diabetes were known. The prevalence of diabetes was much higher in the urban area (9.3% in men and 10.4% in women) compared with the rural area (2.0% in men and 4.5% in women). Mean body mass index was significantly different (p<0.01) between normal and diabetic subjects. Hypertension was three times higher in diabetic subjects (33%) than in normal subjects (9%). Triglycerides level was higher in diabetic subjects (1.92+/-1.72mmol/l) compared with non-diabetic subjects (1.29+/-1.02mmol/l). There was a positive relation between blood glucose level and triglycerides level, independently of obesity in women, but dependently in men. CONCLUSION: In the Tunisian population, known to have a low level of cardiovascular risk factors, the relationships between diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and lipid abnormalities are similar to those observed in Western populations.     

Major risk factors for cardiovascular disease mortality in adults: results from the Nutrition Canada Survey cohort

The cardiovascular mortality experience of over 7000 Canadians ages 35-79 years free of self-reported heart disease or stroke who participated in the Nutrition Canada survey is presented. The effects of various risk factors on cardiovascular disease mortality were assessed using multivariate Poisson regression analyses. Factors associated with a significantly increased risk of dying included cigarette smoking, hypertension, diabetes and, for women, serum cholesterol. Relative risks were similar for those ages 35-64 years compared to those 65-79 years for diabetes but were higher among those 35-64 years for cigarette smoking, diastolic hypertension, obesity and serum cholesterol (females only). Individuals drinking three or more drinks daily had a relative risk of 3.18 for stroke. Population attributable risks for smoking, hypertension, elevated serum cholesterol and diabetes, respectively, were 47%, 21%, 7% and 8% for men and 10%, 21% 18% and 16% for women.     

Physical activity and cardiovascular risk: a cross-sectional study of middle-aged premenopausal women

The relationship between self-reported physical activity and cardiovascular risk factors was evaluated in a population-based sample. The sample included 541 premenopausal women recruited for a study of the natural history of risk factor change associated with change in sex hormone status. Physical activity was assessed using the Paffenbarger Activity Questionnaire. Women were classified according to quartile of weekly energy expenditure into groups of 0-500, 501-999, 1,000-1,999, and 2,000 kcal or greater. Results showed that the more active the women, the lower their blood pressure and heart rate. More active women had lower cholesterol and triglycerides, and higher high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Tricep and suprailiac skinfolds, fasting insulin, and insulin/glucose levels were also lower among the more active women. When the analysis was repeated controlling for the effect of education and body mass index, the statistical test for linear trend remained significant except for the trend for heart rate, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Women reporting activity of 1,000 kcal/week had higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lower diastolic blood pressure, body mass index, skinfolds, fasting insulin, and fasting insulin/glucose ratios compared with women reporting lower levels of activity. Only those women who reported 2,000 kcal/week had significantly lower total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and higher HDL2 cholesterol; women reporting less activity did not differ with regard to these lipids and lipoproteins. The study suggests that physical activity is associated with improved cardiovascular risk profiles among middle-aged women and that the beneficial effects of activity are seen at different levels for specific risk factors.     

Psychosocial and reported inflammatory disease correlates of self-reported heart disease in women from South of Israel

BACKGROUND: Past and recent research suggests that psychological and biological factors may increase women's risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). This study examined the prevalence and correlates of self-reported heart disease among Jewish women from the Negev, a socio-economically and culturally unique region in south of Israel. METHOD: A cross-sectional design was used. We interviewed over the phone 526 randomly-selected women (mean age: 44.3+/-14.2 years) about background variables (e.g., education), biomedical risk factors (e.g., body mass index or BMI), self-reported inflammatory diseases (rheumatoid arthritis or RA, urinary infections), psychosocial factors (depression, hopelessness, self-esteem, social-support) and self-rated health and heart disease. RESULTS: Prior physician diagnosis of heart disease was reported by 8.2% of women. Age, economic difficulties, diabetes, hypertension, BMI, physical exercise, RA and urinary infections were significantly associated with reported heart disease. Of all psychosocial factors considered, hopelessness and self-esteem significantly distinguished heart disease cases from non-cases. In a multiple logistic regression, poor self-esteem, RA and hypertension were significant independent correlates of self-reported heart disease. CONCLUSIONS: Pending replication with objective measures of heart disease and a prospective design, poor self-esteem and RA may prove to be new CHD risk factors in women.     

Serum C-reactive protein and fibrinogen concentrations and self-reported angina pectoris and myocardial infarction: findings from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III

C-reactive protein may predict the risk of cardiovascular disease, but its association with angina pectoris in the general population has not been clearly established, however. We used data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III conducted from 1988-1994 to examine the associations between serum C-reactive protein and plasma fibrinogen concentrations and self-reported angina pectoris and myocardial infarction among 7,948 U.S. men and women aged 40 years and older. C-reactive protein and fibrinogen concentrations were moderately correlated (r = 0.43). After adjustment for age, sex, race or ethnicity, education, smoking status, systolic blood pressure, serum cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, history of diabetes mellitus, body mass index, and physical activity, fibrinogen (but not C-reactive protein) concentration was significantly associated with self-reported angina pectoris. Neither fibrinogen or C-reactive protein concentrations were significantly associated with angina pectoris when entered in the model simultaneously. C-reactive protein and fibrinogen concentrations were positively associated with myocardial infarction when entered separately into models, but only C-reactive protein concentration was significantly associated with myocardial infarction when both variables were entered simultaneously. These cross-sectional data showed a significant positive association between C-reactive protein concentration and myocardial infarction but not self-reported angina pectoris in the U.S. population.     

Rose Questionnaire angina among United States black, white, and Mexican-American women and men. Prevalence and correlates from The Second National and Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys

The prevalence of Rose Questionnaire angina and its association with coronary heart disease risk factors and manifestations were investigated in representative samples of the US population. The study populations included 1,135 black and 8,323 white subjects aged 25-74 years examined in the Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1976-1980, and 2,775 Mexican-American subjects aged 25-74 years examined in the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Mexican-American portion, 1982-1983. Age-adjusted prevalence rates of Rose angina were similar among black, white, and Mexican-American women (6.8%, 6.3%, and 5.4%, respectively). An excess in the prevalence of Rose angina was observed in women compared with men for white and Mexican-American persons under age 55 years, but not for those over age 55. Electrocardiographic evidence of myocardial infarction and self-reported heart attack were strongly associated with prevalent Rose angina among white men and women aged 55 years and over, but not among those below age 55. Serum cholesterol, body mass index (weight (kg)/height (m)2), current cigarette smoking, and dyspnea were independently associated with an increased risk of prevalent angina in multivariate logistic models for white women, excluding those with a prior heart attack. Because many younger women with chest pain who may consult physicians are likely to have elevations in cardiovascular risk factors, their self-reported chest pain can be used as an opportunity to intervene and reduce their future risk of cardiovascular disease.     

Cardiovascular risk factors in South Australians with diabetes

Abstract: This study ascertained the prevalence of diabetes and compared the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among people with and without diabetes. Data were collected as part of the South Australian Health Omnibus Survey which involved a representative population sample of 6398 adults in metropolitan and country South Australia who were interviewed in their own homes. The self-reported prevalence of diabetes was found to be 3 per cent overall. This varied from approximately 1 per cent in the 15- to 39-year age group to 10.5 per cent in people aged over 80 years. Those with diabetes had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors than those without diabetes. There is a need for improved vigilance with people who have diabetes and interventions to modify the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease.     

Effectiveness of cardiometabolic risk reduction in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus

The attainment and maintenance of therapeutic goal of cardiovascular risk factors are of great clinical importance. The effectiveness of cardiovascular risk management is not well characterized during regular care of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. AIM: The aim of the study was to estimate the effectiveness of cardiovascular risk management in type 1 diabetic patients. METHODS: Adult patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (n = 533; 256 men, 277 women; age: 35.6 +/- 11.6 years; duration of diabetes: 18.0 +/- 11.1 years; x +/- SD) were consecutively enrolled from 11 diabetes outpatient departments. Data on medical history, actual treatment, anthropometric and laboratory parameters as well as actual blood pressure were registered, while eating and smoking habits, education level and physical activity were evaluated by standardized questionnaires. The treating goal was set according to the national guideline which corresponds to the current international task force. RESULTS: Of 533 patients, the body mass index target level (< 25 kg/m 2 ) was achieved by 295 (55.5%) patients. Ideal waist circumference (< 80 cm for women and < 94 cm for men) was measured in 140 (50.5%) and in 165 (63.7%) patients, respectively. Optimal glycaemic control (HbA 1c level < 6.5%) was documented in 45 (8.4%) patients. Lipid lowering drugs (statins, fibrates or ezetimibe) were used by 130 patients, among which 53.1% reached the target triglyceride level, 71.5% the target HDL-cholesterol and 27.8% the target LDL-cholesterol levels. Taking the lipid target values together, only 23 (17.7%) patients were at goal. Antihypertensive drugs were used by 173 patients among which 29.5% reached the systolic and 34.8% the diastolic target values (< 130/80 mmHg). Regarding smoking habits, 94 (17.7%) patients were current smokers and 102 (19.2%) ex-smokers. CONCLUSIONS: The attainment of therapeutic goal of cardiovascular risk factors proved to be difficult in a substantial part of patients. Further efforts are needed for attaining and maintaining the established goal of cardiovascular risk management during regular care of adult patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.     

Cigarette smoking and the risk of diabetes in women.

OBJECTIVES. Noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, is prevalent in more than 12 million Americans. A voluminous amount of data demonstrates that cigarette smoking is an important cause of cancer and coronary heart disease. However, the association between cigarette smoking and the risk of diabetes is virtually unexplored, especially in women. METHODS. We examined the association between smoking and the incidence of noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus among 114,247 female nurses who were free of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer in 1976. We collected exposure information and disease status prospectively for 12 years from biennially self-administered questionnaires. RESULTS. Current smokers had an increased risk of diabetes, and we observed a significant dose-response trend for higher risk among heavier smokers. During 1,277,589 person-years of follow-up, 2333 women were clinically diagnosed with diabetes. The relative risk of diabetes, adjusted for obesity and other risk factors, was 1.42 among women who smoked 25 or more cigarettes per day compared with nonsmokers. CONCLUSIONS. These data suggest that cigarette smoking may be an independent, modifiable risk factor for noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.     

Cardiovascular risk factors in Mexican American adults: a transcultural analysis of NHANES III, 1988-1994

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the extent to which cardiovascular disease risk factors differ among subgroups of Mexican Americans living in the United States. METHODS: Using data from a national sample (1988-1994) of 1387 Mexican American women and 1404 Mexican American men, aged 25 to 64 years, we examined an estimate of coronary heart disease mortality risk and 5 primary cardiovascular disease risk factors: systolic blood pressure, body mass index, cigarette smoking, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Differences in risk were evaluated by country of birth and primary language spoken. RESULTS: Estimated 10-year coronary heart disease mortality risk per 1000 persons, adjusted for age and education, was highest for US-born Spanish-speaking men and women (27.5 and 11.4, respectively), intermediate for US-born English-speaking men and women (22.5 and 7.0), and lowest for Mexican-born men and women (20.0 and 6.6). A similar pattern of higher risk among US-born Spanish-speaking men and women was demonstrated for each of the 5 cardiovascular disease risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: These findings illustrate the heterogeneity of the Mexican American population and identify a new group at substantial risk for cardiovascular disease and in need of effective heart disease prevention programs.     

Prevalence of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease among immigrants from Turkey and Morocco and the indigenous Dutch population

OBJECTIVE: To gain insight into the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease among Turkish and Moroccan immigrants in the Netherlands. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of data from a cross-sectional study in 1999/'00. METHOD: The prevalence of self-reported diabetes and cardiovascular disease was studied in a sample of 743 Turkish, 641 Moroccan and 537 ethnic Dutch persons aged 35 to 74 years from the population of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, using an oral questionnaire. Ethnic differences in the prevalence of diabetes and cardiovascular disease were studied by logistic regression analysis controlling for age, sex and educational level. Further, in the case of diabetes, we examined whether or not the differences could be explained by overweight and physical inactivity, and in the case of cardiovascular disease we investigated the relationship with smoking and diabetes. In addition, the association between diabetes and cardiovascular disease was investigated. RESULTS: The Turkish and Moroccan population reported diabetes more often than did the ethnic Dutch (12.3, 12.4 and 3.0%, respectively). The differences were still present after controlling for sex, age, educational level, overweight and physical inactivity. Cardiovascular disease was more prevalent among the Turks (10.6%) than among the indigenous Dutch population (5.0%), but this was not true for the Moroccans (5.4%). The difference between Turkish and ethnic Dutch people still persisted after controlling for educational level, overweight, physical inactivity, smoking and diabetes. The association between diabetes and cardiovascular disease was consistent for all groups studied. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of diabetes was higher among Turkish and Moroccan immigrants than among the indigenous Dutch population. Cardiovascular disease was more prevalent among the Turks, but not among the Moroccans. The association between diabetes and cardiovascular disease was consistent for all three ethnic groups.     

Social support for exercise: Relationship to physical activity in young adults

BACKGROUND. Physical inactivity is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, yet little is known concerning factors which influence participation in physical activity or exercise. Two studies assessed the relationships between self-reported physical activity and social support for exercise. METHOD. One study involved a biracial sample of middle-class male and female teachers (mean age = 38.5 +/- 8.9 years) and one involved a biracial sample of lower- to middle-class males and females (mean age = 35.8 +/- 5.1 years). RESULTS. In both studies the social support scales had high internal consistencies and a two-component solution identical to the original validation study. In both studies, social support for exercise positively correlated with physical activity, but the relationships were mediated by race, gender, specific types of support (i.e., family, friend), and dimensions of physical activity (i.e., global, work, sports, and leisure). In both studies, regardless of work status and race, women's overall activity, particularly during leisure time, was positively related to family support for exercise. In both studies white women's overall activity levels, especially sports and leisure activities, were positively related to friend support. In both studies, black women's sports activity was positively associated with family support. Among white men in both studies, sports activities and total energy expenditure were positively related to family and friend support. Black men's sports-related activity was positively related to family support among the teachers and to friend support among subjects in the second study. CONCLUSION. Findings are discussed in terms of future research directed toward identification of other familial and sociocultural variables which might influence individuals' involvement in physical activity.     

Socioeconomic position in childhood and cardiovascular risk factors in older Spanish people

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between childhood social class and the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in the elderly. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 4009 subjects representative of the Spanish non-institutionalized population aged >or =60 years, for whom information was available on father's occupation. We estimated the prevalence of hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus, physical inactivity, smoking, and alcohol intake. RESULTS: Belonging to a working social class in childhood is associated with increased hypertension, having ever smoked, and heavy alcohol intake, independent of adult social class in men. No association was found between social class in childhood and the other cardiovascular risk factors in men. Belonging to a working social class in childhood is associated with increased general obesity, abdominal obesity, diabetes mellitus, and physical inactivity in women, but the size of the association for abdominal obesity and diabetes mellitus decreases and the statistical significance disappears after adjusting for adult social class. The highest smoking prevalence was observed in women who were in social class I in childhood and the lowest in women who were in social class IV. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show increased prevalence of some cardiovascular risk factors in men who belong to a working social class in childhood, but they do not support the existing evidence about an association between adverse social circumstances in childhood and increased prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in later life in women.     

Active commuting and cardiovascular risk: a meta-analytic review

OBJECTIVE: Leisure time physical activity is inversely associated with cardiovascular risk, although evidence for the protective effects of active commuting is more limited. The present review examines evidence from prospective epidemiological studies of commuting activity and cardiovascular risk. METHODS: Meta-analytic procedures were performed to examine the association between commuting physical activity and cardiovascular risk. Several cardiovascular endpoints were examined including mortality, incident coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension and diabetes. RESULTS: We included eight studies in the overall analysis (173,146 participants) that yielded 15 separate risk ratios (RR). The overall meta-analysis demonstrated a robust protective effect of active commuting on cardiovascular outcomes (integrated RR=0.89, 95% confidence interval 0.81-0.98, p=0.016). However, the protective effects of active commuting were more robust among women (0.87, 0.77-0.98, p=0.02) than in men (0.91, 0.80-1.04, p=0.17). CONCLUSIONS: Active commuting that incorporates walking and cycling was associated with an overall 11% reduction in cardiovascular risk, which was more robust among women. Future studies should investigate the reasons for possible gender effects and also examine the importance of commuting activity intensity.     

Pregnancy complications as a risk factor for metabolic and cardiovascular disease in later life

In recent years several large epidemiological studies have been published that demonstrate that women who experience gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension or pre-eclampsia have an increased risk of developing type-2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. 15-50% of women who experience gestational diabetes develop type-2 diabetes mellitus; the risk is particularly high in those who require insulin therapy during pregnancy. - Chronic hypertension frequently develops years after a pregnancy complicated by pregnancy-induced hypertension, especially in women who have had pregnancy-induced hypertension in multiple pregnancies. Women who experience pre-eclampsia in the first 36 weeks of pregnancy or in multiple pregnancies have an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in later life. Therefore gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia provide an opportunity to identify individuals with an increased risk of type-2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease at an early age. This may create new perspectives on prevention.     

上海市静安区居民主要慢性病流行现状及其危险因素

目的了解上海市静安区居民主要慢性病的流行现状及其危险因素。方法采用多阶段整群抽样方法，对上海市静安区的960名社区居民进行问卷调查和体格检查。结果高血压、糖尿病、脑血管疾病和心血管疾病的现患率分别为25．6％，5．8％，3．1％和5．7％。多因素Logistic回归分析显示，高血压、糖尿病、脑血管疾病和心血管疾病与其疾病家族史存在统计学关联，其0R（95％CI）分别为1．6（1．2～2.3），6．9（3．5～13．6），4．5（2．0～10．0），2．2（1．2～4．0）。结论高血压、糖尿病是危害社区居民健康的主要慢性病，应引起疾病控制机构及其他有关部门的关注。     

Lifestyle and cardiovascular disease risk factors as determinants of total cysteine in plasma: the Hordaland Homocysteine Study

BACKGROUND: Plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) is a cardiovascular disease risk factor and is related to several components of the established cardiovascular disease risk profile. Cysteine is structurally and metabolically related to homocysteine, but data on its association with cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular disease risk factors are sparse. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to search for the determinants of plasma total cysteine (tCys) and compare them with those of tHcy. DESIGN: In this cross-sectional study, we studied 7591 healthy men and 8585 healthy women aged 40-67 y with no history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, or cerebrovascular disease. RESULTS: In the group aged 40-42 y, tCys was significantly higher in men (&mean;: 273 micromol/L; 2.5-97.5 percentile: 219-338 micromol/L) than in women (253 micromol/L; 202-317 micromol/L) (P < 0.001). In the group aged 65-67 y, there was no significant sex difference in tCys: men (296 micromol/L; 233-362 micromol/L) and women (296 micromol/L; 234-361 micromol/L). As with tHcy, tCys was positively associated with age, total cholesterol concentration, diastolic blood pressure, and coffee consumption. Body mass index was a strong determinant of tCys but was not related to tHcy. Several factors known to influence tHcy, including smoking status, folate and vitamin intake, heart rate, and physical activity, were not associated or were only weakly associated with tCys. CONCLUSION: Plasma tCys is strongly related to several factors that constitute the cardiovascular disease risk profile. This should be an incentive to determine the role of tCys in cardiovascular disease.     

Cardiovascular disease risk factors prior to the diagnosis of impaired glucose tolerance and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in a community of older adults

Cardiovascular disease risk factors were measured 10-15 years (mean, 11.9 years) prior to the diagnosis of impaired glucose tolerance and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in Rancho Bernardo, California. There were 1,847 men and women aged 40-79 years who had no known diabetes or fasting hyperglycemia at baseline (1972-1974). At the follow-up examination (1984-1987), 1,115 men and women (60.4%) had normal glucose tolerance, 513 (27.8%) had impaired glucose tolerance, and 219 (11.9%) had non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus as defined by World Health Organization criteria. Rates of impaired glucose tolerance and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus increased with age, and impaired glucose tolerance was approximately twice as common as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Those with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus were older and more overweight and had higher levels of blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, and triglyceride at baseline than those whose glucose tolerance remained normal; those with impaired glucose tolerance generally had intermediate levels of the same risk factors. When it was examined in a prospective fashion, in general, the age-adjusted risk of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus increased with increasing quartile of each risk factor, and the risk of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in a given quartile was greater than that for impaired glucose tolerance. Logistic regression analyses showed these factors to be positively associated with a subsequent diagnosis of impaired glucose tolerance as well as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in women, and to a lesser degree in men, independent of baseline age and body mass index (weight (kg)/height (m)2). These data illustrate that a less favorable cardiovascular risk factor profile precedes the diagnosis of both non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance.     

Self-reported leisure time physical activity: a useful assessment tool in everyday health care

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The individual physical activity level is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and death, as well as a possible target for improving health outcome. However, today[ACUTE ACCENT]s widely adopted risk score charts, typically do not include the level of physical activity. There is a need for a simple risk assessment tool, which includes a reliable assessment of the level of physical activity. The aim of this study was therefore, to analyse the association between the self-reported levels of physical activity, according to the Saltin-Grimby Physical Activity Level Scale (SGPALS) questionnaire, and cardiovascular risk factors, specifically focusing on the group of individuals with the lowest level of self-reported PA. METHODS: We used cross sectional data from the Intergene study, a random sample of inhabitants from the western part of Sweden, totalling 3588 (1685 men and 1903 women, mean age 52 and 51). Metabolic measurements, including serum-cholesterol, serum-triglycerides, fasting plasma-glucose, waist circumference, blood pressure and resting heart rate, as well as smoking and self-reported stress were related to the self-reported physical activity level, according to the modernized version of the SGPALS 4-level scale. RESULTS: There was a strong negative association between the self-reported physical activity level, and smoking, weight, waist circumference, resting heart rate, as well as to the levels of fasting plasma-glucose, serum-triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and self-reported stress and a positive association with the levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL). The individuals reporting the lowest level of PA (SGPALS, level 1) had the highest odds-ratios (OR) for having pre-defined levels of abnormal risk factors, such as being overweight (men OR 2.19, 95% CI: 1.51-3.19; women OR 2.57, 95 % CI: 1.78-3.73), having an increased waist circumference (men OR 3.76, 95 % CI: 2.61-5.43; women OR 2.91, 95% CI: 1.94-4.35) and for reporting stress (men OR 3.59, 95 % CI: 2.34-5.49; women OR 1.25, 95% CI: 0.79-1.98), compared to the most active individuals, but also showed increased OR for most other risk factors analyzed above. CONCLUSION: The self-reported PA-level according to the modernized Saltin-Grimby Physical Activity Level Scale, SGPALS, is associated with the presence of many cardiovascular risk factors, with the most inactive individuals having the highest risk factor profile, including self-reported stress. We propose that the present SGPALS may be used as an additional, simple tool in a routine risk assessment in e.g. primary care, to identify inactive individuals, with a higher risk profile.