Effects of a traditional lifestyle on the cardiovascular risk profile: the Amondava population of the Brazilian Amazon. Comparison with matched African, Italian and Polish populations.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the relationships between lifestyle and cardiovascular risk factors among the Brazilian Amondava, one of the world's most isolated populations.


METHODS
Cross-sectional, population-based study. Four age- and sex-matched samples from Brazil Africa, Italy and Poland, representing different levels of modernization, were compared. Body weight, height, blood pressure, serum cholesterol and glycaemia were measured, and a standard questionnaire administered. Data concerning dietary habits and physical activity were collected. A personal socio-economic score was calculated, on the basis of type of economy, level of formal education, type of occupation, type of habitat, availability of piped water and electricity, main source of income, housing conditions, availability of radio, television or personal computer, knowledge of a second language, and organized health facilities.


METHODS
Primary epidemiological screening, at an institution.


RESULTS
Among the Amondava blood pressure was always <140/90 mm Hg, it did not increase with age and was not correlated with any other variable; 46.6% of subjects had systolic blood pressure <100 mm Hg. Blood pressure among the Amondava (109.6+/-11.1/69.5+/-6.4 mm Hg) was on average lower (P<0.0001) than in all other samples. Among the Amondava, the concentration of total cholesterol was always <200 mg/dl, i.e. similar to that of Africans whose diet included large amounts of vegetable foodstuffs; 90% had glycaemia (<80 mg/dl), and their mean value was the lowest (55.1+/-14.9 mg/dl) of all the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
In addition to a possible genetic predisposition not analysed in this study, a traditional lifestyle (no contact with civilization, diet based on complex carbohydrates and vegetables, high energy expenditure) may protect against the development of hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, and diabetes.
Pavan
L
L
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Padova, Italy.
Casiglia
E
E
Braga
L M
LM
Winnicki
M
M
Puato
M
M
Pauletto
P
P
Pessina
A C
AC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D002648:Child; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007199:Indians, South American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012923:Social Class; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology
D002784:Cholesterol