OBJECTIVES: To assess the self-reported prevalence of the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease in Portugal and their distribution by gender, age-group and region. METHODS: We surveyed 38,893 individuals aged 40 or over, with a distribution by region and age-group proportional to the national population, through a questionnaire applied in the community in a household approach using the random route method, between October 2006 and February 2007. RESULTS: The self-reported prevalence of hypertension was 23.5%, increasing with age in both genders, but slightly higher in women (24.9% vs. 21.8%). The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, based on respondents' statements, was 19.7%, and higher in women (20.7% vs. 18.6%), with the highest values in the 6th and 7th decades of life (23.9% and 23.6%). The prevalence of diabetes was 8.9%, increasing with age, and slightly higher in women (9.3% vs. 8.5%). The prevalence of smoking was 16.3%, decreasing with age, but always higher in men (25.3% vs. 8.8%). The prevalence of overweight/obesity (BMI equal to or higher than 25/30 kg/m2) was 51.6%, higher in those aged 60-69 (57.1%) and 70-79 years (56%). Most participants (65.3%) declared they never took part in structured physical activity, while 24% claimed to take exercise, on average for 11 years, and 10.6% stated that they no longer exercised. In the Azores, there was a higher prevalence of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes and overweight/obesity, while the North and Algarve regions presented the lowest values of these risk factors, although they had higher levels of smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Based on respondents' statements, the AMALIA study found the following prevalences of the six risk factors under investigation, in descending order: sedentarism--76%; overweight/obesity--52%; hypertension--24%; hypercholesterolemia--20%; smoking--16%; and diabetes--9%. Notwithstanding possible under-reporting, the differences in prevalence of these major risk factors by gender and region could influence cardiovascular prevention strategies in Portugal.
OBJECTIVES: To assess the self-reported prevalence of the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease in Portugal and their distribution by gender, age-group and region. METHODS: We surveyed 38,893 individuals aged 40 or over, with a distribution by region and age-group proportional to the national population, through a questionnaire applied in the community in a household approach using the random route method, between October 2006 and February 2007. RESULTS: The self-reported prevalence of hypertension was 23.5%, increasing with age in both genders, but slightly higher in women (24.9% vs. 21.8%). The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, based on respondents' statements, was 19.7%, and higher in women (20.7% vs. 18.6%), with the highest values in the 6th and 7th decades of life (23.9% and 23.6%). The prevalence of diabetes was 8.9%, increasing with age, and slightly higher in women (9.3% vs. 8.5%). The prevalence of smoking was 16.3%, decreasing with age, but always higher in men (25.3% vs. 8.8%). The prevalence of overweight/obesity (BMI equal to or higher than 25/30 kg/m2) was 51.6%, higher in those aged 60-69 (57.1%) and 70-79 years (56%). Most participants (65.3%) declared they never took part in structured physical activity, while 24% claimed to take exercise, on average for 11 years, and 10.6% stated that they no longer exercised. In the Azores, there was a higher prevalence of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes and overweight/obesity, while the North and Algarve regions presented the lowest values of these risk factors, although they had higher levels of smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Based on respondents' statements, the AMALIA study found the following prevalences of the six risk factors under investigation, in descending order: sedentarism--76%; overweight/obesity--52%; hypertension--24%; hypercholesterolemia--20%; smoking--16%; and diabetes--9%. Notwithstanding possible under-reporting, the differences in prevalence of these major risk factors by gender and region could influence cardiovascular prevention strategies in Portugal.
Authors: Ala'a Alkerwi; Nicolas Sauvageot; Sybil Pagny; Jean Beissel; Charles Delagardelle; Marie-Lise Lair Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2012-10-11 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Vânia Rocha; Ana Isabel Plácido; Daniela A Rodrigues; Ana Barbara Tavares; Adolfo Figueiras; Fátima Roque; Maria Teresa Herdeiro Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-10-10 Impact factor: 4.614