Knowledge about cardiovascular risk factors among obese individuals.
BACKGROUND
Obesity is an important biological risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD).


OBJECTIVE
The main aim of this study was to answer the question whether obese individuals differ from individuals with normal weight with regard to knowledge about risk factors for CVD. A further aim was to replicate previous findings that obese individuals are at higher risk of developing other biological risk factors for CVD.


METHODS
Normal weights, BMI<25 kg/m(2) (n=385), and obese, BMI> or =30 kg/m(2) (n=159), individuals were identified from a screening program conducted among 50-year-old inhabitants of the County of Västmanland, Sweden. Participants answered questions regarding their gender, level of education, and items relating to knowledge about cardiovascular risk factors. Total cholesterol and blood glucose levels, height, weight and blood pressure were measured.


RESULTS
Obese individuals did not differ significantly from individuals with a normal weight regarding knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors when education was controlled for. Obesity and low level of education are associated with other risk factors for CVD such as high blood pressure and high serum cholesterol.


CONCLUSIONS
Obese individuals are at an increased risk of developing other risk factors for CVD but are just as knowledgeable about risk factors for CVD as normal weighting individuals.
Andersson
Per
P
Department of Caring and Public Health Science, Mälardalen University, S-72123 Västerås, Sweden. per.andersson@mdh.se
Sjöberg
Rickard L
RL
Ohrvik
John
J
Leppert
Jerzy
J
D001294:Attitude to Health; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D004522:Educational Status; D015444:Exercise; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology