Physical activity and cardiovascular risk factors in rural Shanghai, China

BMI and lifestyle changes as correlates to changes in self-reported diagnosis of hypertension among older Chinese adults

Nutrition transition theory attributes increased prevalence of high blood pressure to excess body weight associated with lifestyle changes in recent decades. We examined the association of changes in self-reported hypertension diagnoses with changes in body mass index (BMI), health-related behaviors, health status, and social risk factors among older Chinese adults from 1997 to 2006. Data from the longitudinal China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) were analyzed for adults who were age 60 years and older, had a BMI exceeding 18.6 kg/m(2), and reported no diagnosis of hypertension at baseline (n = 1928). Logistic regression models identified factors contributing to staying nonhypertensive or developing hypertension over time. Approximately 17.8% (n = 324) of study participants developed self-reported hypertension, whereas 83.2% (n = 1604) remained without hypertension. Those who stayed overweight or obese or became overweight or obese were more likely to report a new hypertension diagnosis. Incident diagnoses were also observed among those who developed acute conditions, sustained memory loss, or increased their income, whereas remaining nonhypertensive was more likely among rural residents and those who became more physically active and quit drinking alcohol. Study findings provided partial support for the nutrition transition theory whereby changing demographics and lifestyle factors were associated with increases in incident hypertension.

Comparison of dietary and non-dietary risk factors in overweight and normal-weight Chinese adults

The aim of the present study was to compare the differences in dietary and non-dietary factors contributing to normal weight and overweight among urban Chinese adults. Two cross-sectional population surveys were carried out in Tianjin, one of the largest cities in China. A total of 2631 subjects aged 25–64 years were selected by random stratified cluster sampling; 398 men and 490 women were overweight, and 886 men and 857 women were of normal weight. The diet was assessed by food weighing plus consecutive individual 3 d food records. Health-related behaviours and anthropometry were assessed. The overweight group had significantly higher mean daily intakes of energy and carbohydrate than the normal-weight group. Overweight men also had significantly higher mean daily intakes of protein and fat than normal-weight men. Age, daily intakes of energy and carbohydrate, and marital status were positively associated with overweight, while occupational and commuting physical activity, as well as smoking, were inversely associated with overweight among both genders. Daily intakes of protein, fat and alcohol were positively related to the incidence of being overweight among men. People with 7–12 years education were more likely to be overweight compared with those with less than 6 years of education. High intakes of energy and carbohydrate among both genders, as well as high intakes of protein and fat among men, and lower levels of occupational and commuting physical activity, being a non-smoker, and partly higher socio-economic status were related to a greater incidence of being overweight in this population.

Different forms of physical activity and cardiovascular risk factors among 24???64-year-old men and women in Finland

BACKGROUND

There is convincing evidence that regular physical activity reduces risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) among men. However, only a few studies have been conducted among women. Most previous studies have focused on the effects of leisure-time physical activity on cardiovascular risk factors, without considering the impact of occupational or commuting physical activity.

DESIGN

Four independent cross-sectional surveys were carried out at 5-year intervals within the framework of the FINMONICA studies in 1982, 1987, 1992 and 1997.

METHODS

An independent random sample was drawn from the national population register for each survey. The samples were stratified by sex and 10-year age categories according to the WHO MONICA protocol. The survey consisted of a self-administered questionnaire.

RESULTS

Not only leisure-time physical activity, but also commuting activity was directly associated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and was inversely related to body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference among both men and women. High occupational physical activity was related to high HDL-cholesterol levels and high total serum cholesterol levels in both sexes and to lower BMI, waist circumference and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in men. High leisure-time physical activity was associated with reduced DBP among both men and women, whereas high occupational physical activity was related to lower DBP only among men.

CONCLUSION

Not only leisure-time physical activity but also commuting activity is associated with reduced levels of some cardiovascular risk factors. All forms of physical activity should be promoted to reduce CVD in the population.

Prevalence of physical activity among Chinese adults: results from the International Collaborative Study of Cardiovascular Disease in Asia

OBJECTIVES

Determining physical activity levels in the community provides a context for the development and implementation of programs aimed at increasing these activity levels. Therefore, we assessed overall, work-related, and leisure-time physical activity in a representative sample of Chinese adults, aged 35 to 74 years, using data from the International Collaborative Study of Cardiovascular Disease in Asia.

METHODS

Being physically active was defined as participating in 30 or more minutes of moderate or vigorous activity daily. Work-related and leisure-time physical activities were defined as being physically active and participating in any moderate or vigorous activity at work or during leisure time, respectively.

RESULTS

In rural and urban China, 78.1% and 21.8% of residents, respectively, were physically active; 75.8% and 16.5%, respectively, participated in work-related activity; and 28.9% and 7.9%, respectively, participated in leisure-time physical activity. In both rural and urban settings, younger adults, men, and southern residents were more likely to be physically active and to participate in work-related and leisure-time physical activity than older adults, women, and northern residents.

CONCLUSIONS

Intervention strategies to promote leisure-time physical activity, especially among urban residents, should be considered a major health priority in China.

Serum lipid profile in obese children in China

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present study was to examine the serum lipid profile in obese Chinese children, their serum lipid and apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) and B (apoB) levels were examined.

METHODS

The subjects were 153 patients (109 male and 44 female) aged 4-16 years with obesity, who attended the outpatient clinic of Beijing Children's Hospital. Percentage bodyweight (%BW) ([(bodyweight - standard weight)/standard weight]x 100) were obtained. Skinfold thickness and hip and waist circumference were measured. Percentage body fat (%BF) was estimated by bioelectrical impedance analyzer. Serum total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), triglyceride (TG), apoA-I and apoB levels were also measured.

RESULTS

TC showed an acceptable level in 86.8% of obese children. The prevalence of high TC levels (3.3%) or high LDLC levels (6.0%) was rather low. The HDLC level was reduced in 31.3% of obese children. Anthropometric variables had no linear relationship to TC, HDLC, TG, LDLC, apoA-I or apoB, but in the older age group (over 10 years old) %BW and %BF showed a weak correlation with HDLC (r = -0.202, r = -0.211, respectively).

CONCLUSION

In obese Chinese children, HDLC as well as TC levels should be examined in order to assess coronary risk.

Risk factors for nuclear, cortical and posterior subcapsular cataracts in the Chinese population of Singapore: the Tanjong Pagar Survey

AIM

To describe risk factors for nuclear, cortical, and posterior subcapsular (PSC) cataracts in Chinese Singaporeans.

METHODS

A population based cross sectional study was carried out on ethnic Chinese men and women aged 40-81 years. A stratified, clustered, disproportionate (more weights to older people), random sampling procedure was used to initially select 2000 Chinese names of those aged 40-79 years from the 1996 electoral register in the Tanjong Pagar district in Singapore. Eligible subjects (n = 1717) were invited for a standardised ocular examination and interview at a centralised clinic, following which an abbreviated examination was conducted for non-respondents in their homes. Cataract was graded clinically using to the Lens Opacity Classification System (LOCS) III system. The main outcome measures were adjusted odds ratio for risk factors for specific cataract types (nuclear, cortical and PSC), any cataract and cataract surgery, examined in multiple logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Out of the 1232 (71.8%) examined, 1206 (70.2%) provided lens data for this analysis. Increasing age was associated with all cataract types, any cataract, and cataract surgery. There was no significant sex difference in presence of any cataract, specific cataract types or cataract surgery. After controlling for age, sex, and other factors, diabetes was associated with cortical cataract (3.1; 95% CI: 1.6 to 6.1), PSC cataract (2.2; 95% CI 1.2 to 4.1), any cataract (2.0; 95% CI: 0.9 to 4.5), and cataract surgery (2.3; 95% CI: 1.3 to 4.1). Lower body mass index was associated with cortical cataract (1.8; 95% CI: 1.1 to 2.9; lowest versus highest quintile) and any cataract (2.3; 95% CI: 1.3 to 4.0). Current cigarette smoking was associated with nuclear cataract (1.7, 95% CI: 1.0 to 2.9; more than 10 cigarettes per day versus none). A non-professional occupation was associated with nuclear cataract (2.9; 95% CI: 1.5 to 5.8; for production or machine operators and 2.6; 95% CI: 1.2 to 5.5; for labourers or agricultural workers, both versus professionals). Lower education was associated with nuclear cataract (2.3; 95% CI: 1.0 to 5.2, none versus tertiary), while lower household income was associated with PSC cataract (4.7, 95% CI: 1.1 to 20.0; income <S$2000 versus >S$4000).

CONCLUSIONS

Age related cataracts are associated with a variety of risk factors among Chinese people in Singapore, similar to those reported in European, Indian, and African derived populations. These data support common aetiological mechanisms for age related cataracts, irrespective of ethnic origin.

Distribution and determinants of sedentary lifestyles in the European Union

BACKGROUND

Many studies have shown the health burden of a sedentary lifestyle. The main goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of sedentary lifestyles in the 15 Member States of the European Union (EU) and to identify the main correlates of a sedentary lifestyle.

METHODS

Nationally representative samples (n approximately 1000 subjects in each country; >15 years) completed a questionnaire concerning attitudes to physical activity, body weight, and health; in total 15 239 subjects. Sedentary people were defined in two ways: (1) those expending less than 10% of their leisure time expenditure in activities involving >/=4 metabolic equivalents (MET). (2) Those who did not practice any leisure-time physical activity and who also were above the median in the number of hours spent sitting down during leisure time. Logistic regression models were fitted to analyse the association between sedentary lifestyles and gender, age, body mass index (BMI), educational level, weight change in the last 6 months, and marital and smoking status.

RESULTS

Percentages of sedentary lifestyles across European countries ranged between 43.3% (Sweden) and 87.8% (Portugal) according to the first definition. According to both definitions, a lower prevalence of sedentary lifestyle was found in Northern countries (especially Scandinavian countries) as compared with Mediterranean countries, whereas the prevalence was higher among older, obese, less educated, widowed/divorced individuals, and current smokers. Similar relative differences between countries and socio-demographic groups were found independently of the method used to define a sedentary lifestyle.

CONCLUSION

Prevalence of sedentary lifestyle in the EU is high, especially among inhabitants of some Mediterranean countries, obese subjects, less-educated people, and current smokers. This high prevalence involves important public health burdens and preventive strategies are urgently needed.

Commuting, leisure-time physical activity, and cardiovascular risk factors in China

PURPOSE

The relationship between both commuting and leisure-time physical activity and selected cardiovascular risk factors was analyzed.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 1996 in urban Tianjin, China. A total of 2002 male and 1974 female subjects aged 15-69 yr completed the survey. Commuting, leisure-time physical activity, body mass index, blood pressure, and cigarette smoking were determined.

RESULTS

Doing more than 60 min of commuting physical activity or combined commuting and leisure-time physical activity was related to the highest mean blood pressure and the highest prevalence of hypertension among both genders compared with going to and from work by bus; 31-60 min commuting only or commuting plus leisure-time physical activity was associated with the lowest mean blood pressure in women and the lowest prevalence of hypertension in both genders. Daily time on commuting or leisure-time physical activity was inversely related to mean body mass index and prevalence of overweight among men and prevalence of smoking among both genders.

CONCLUSION

The present study suggests that commuting and leisure-time physical activity were favorably associated with cardiovascular risk factors in this Chinese population, except that more than 60 min of physical activity was associated with high blood pressure.

A comparison of dietary and non-dietary factors of hypertension and normal blood pressure in a Chinese population

The aim of this study was to compare the differences of dietary and non-dietary factors in hypertension and normal blood pressure (BP) of Chinese urban people. Two cross-sectional population surveys were carried out in Tianjin, one of the three largest cities in China. A total of 2068 subjects aged 35-64 years were selected by a random stratified cluster sampling, 367 men and 395 women were hypertensive, and 623 men and 683 women had normal BP. The diet was assessed by food weighing plus consecutive individual 3-day food records. Health status, health behaviours and anthropomentry were assessed. The whole population had a high sodium and low potassium consumption level. Hypertensive men and women had significantly higher daily dietary sodium intake (P < 0.05) and hypertensive women had higher dietary sodium-to-potassium ratio (P < 0.01) than men and women with normal BP. Age, body mass index, overweight and family history of hypertension were positively related to high BP. dietary sodium intake and dietary sodium-to-potassium ratio were positively associated with high BP. Education level in women and commuting physical activity in men were inversely associated with high BP.

Relation between commuting, leisure time physical activity and serum lipids in a Chinese urban population

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

To analyse the association between both commuting and leisure time physical activity and serum lipids in a Chinese population.

POPULATION

A total of 1786 males and 1922 females aged 20-49 years.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 1989 in urban area of the city of Tianjin, China. Commuting and leisure time physical activity, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides were determined.

RESULTS

Daily walking or cycling to and from work was inversely associated with serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations among men and positively associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations among women as compared to travelling to and from work by bus.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study showed a significant association between serum lipids and commuting physical activity, but no relation with leisure time sports.

A cross-sectional study on the relationship between leisure or recreational physical activity and coronary risk factors

Several researchers have investigated the relationship between physical activity and coronary risk factors. Little is known about the strength of the relationship between physical activity and each coronary risk factor. The aim of this study is to determined the strength of the relationship between leisure or recreational physical activity and selected coronary risk factors. The subjects were 781 male Japanese office workers who underwent an annual physical examination in 1999, including interview about the type and frequency of their leisure or recreational physical activities, other lifestyle questionnaire, and biological measurement, calculated a physical activity index (PAI) for each subject. To investigate the strength of the relationship between PAI and each coronary risk factor, we carried out multiple regression analysis. Smoking habit, log triglycerides, self-rating depression scale (SDS) score, alcohol habit and left ventricular hypertrophy were significantly related to the physical activity (partial R2: 0.031, 0.018, 0.016, 0.0092, 0.0075, respectively). Smoking habit was the strongest determinant of the physical activity. Furthermore, we found the inverse relationship between SDS score and physical activity independently.

Life-style factors associated with changes in serum lipids in a follow-up study of cardiovascular risk factors

We studied some life-style characteristics that may predict changes in total serum cholesterol and cholesterol bound to high density lipoproteins (HDL-cholesterol) in a sample of 980 healthy Spanish employees of both sexes who were followed for three years. All workers participated in a multifactorial program aimed at preventing cardiovascular disease. Linear regression models were fitted with changes in total and HDL-cholesterol as the dependent variables, after eliminating variability due to the influence of basal values. The association between lifestyle factors and lipid changes was controlled for dietary modifications. In the multivariate analysis, decreases in body mass index, and in alcohol consumption were associated with significant reductions in total serum cholesterol. Maintaining sports at post-test or starting to practice them in the interim was also significantly and independently associated with favourable changes in serum cholesterol. Leisure-time exercise (p = 0.002) and giving up smoking (p = 0.06) were each associated with increased HDL-cholesterol.