Sammanfattning
BACKGROUND : Frequency of and mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD) have decreased,but type 2 diabetes is on the rise. Risk factors measured in health surveys 2000-2003 are presented and compared with recommended or ideal levels.
MATERIAL AND METHODS : In five counties, all inhabitants aged 30, 40, 45, 60 or 75 years were invited to participate in the survey (participation rate 29-75%).
RESULTS : In the age group 30-60 years, about 30% were daily smokers, 50% exercised < 3 hours per week, and 75-90% had total serum cholesterol > or = 5 mmol/L. By age 60 years 40-50% had elevated blood pressure and 23% were obese (body mass index (BMI) > or =30 kg/m2 ). Different measures of obesity, general and abdominal, produced somewhat different results. In younger men, BMI and waist circumference gave a higher obesity prevalence than waist-hip ratio. In contrast, for women aged 60 and 75 years BMI gave the lowest prevalence.
INTERPRETATION : The burden of risk factors in the population is relatively high, and a further increase of overweight and diabetes may stem the decline of CHD. Establishment of a health monitoring system including risk factors is an important element of health promotion.