title: Prevalence of obesity and cardiovascular risk factors among manufacturing company employees in Kentucky.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of obesity and cardiovascular risk factors among male and female employees of eight small manufacturing companies in Kentucky. Randomly selected employees were screened using anthropometric and metabolic measures and a food frequency questionnaire. More than 77% of participants were classified as overweight or obese, higher than national estimates. Obesity was associated with a higher prevalence of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and elevated fasting glucose. Consistent with national data, males had an increased prevalence of specific risk factors (i.e., elevated blood pressure, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and hypertriglyceridemia), while females had an increased prevalence of at-risk waist circumference. One potential contributor to high prevalence rates was dietary practices that did not meet recommended guidelines for health. Results suggest an increased risk for cardiovascular disease among employees of Kentucky manufacturing companies and the need for interventions to reduce obesity and its comorbidities in this target population.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Cincinnati, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Bonnie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brehm
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gates
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Singler
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Poeppelman
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Succop
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: D'Alessio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000453:epidemiology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D007221:Industry; D007629:Kentucky / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009785:Occupational Health Nursing; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires