title: Prevalence of increased body weight and hypertension in the population of Croatian mainland and Adriatic Islands--are islanders really healthier?
abstract: The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of the hypertension and the increased body weight (BMI) between Croatian mainland and Adriatic island population. The data from the Croatian Adult Health Survey (N = 9,070) served as an estimate for the mainland Croatian population, while the data from "1001 Dalmatian study" (N = 1,001) were collected from four Adriatic islands; Rab, Vis, Lastovo and Mljet. The prevalence of increased body weight and hypertension was calculated for the four age groups and analyzed using chi-square test. The results indicate that men from the islands less frequently had normal body mass index (P < 0.001), and were more frequently overweight (P < 0.001). The prevalence of overweight and obesity were similar between the island and mainland women. The percent of normotensive respondents in men was significantly lower in islands (P < 0.001), while the prevalence of newly diagnosed hypertension was significantly higher among islanders in both genders (P < 0.001). Despite the traditionally prevalent Mediterranean diet and overall more favorable lifestyle islanders may not be as healthy as previously studies suggested, in terms of cardiovascular risk factors prevalence. This might be related to the poor access to health care and preventive measures or low interest for health care especially among men on the islands, reflected in the higher prevalence of newly diagnosed hypertension. These findings suggest that island populations represent good candidates for disease awareness programs and health promotion interventions.
authors: Department of Medical Statistics, Epidemiology and Medical Informatics, "Andrija Stampar" School of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia. ikolcic@snz.hr
authors: Ivana
authors: I
authors: Kolcić
authors: Zrinka
authors: Z
authors: Biloglav
authors: Lina
authors: L
authors: Zgaga
authors: Ariana Vorko
authors: AV
authors: Jović
authors: Ivo
authors: I
authors: Curić
authors: Snjezana
authors: S
authors: Curić
authors: Jelena
authors: J
authors: Susac
authors: Vedran
authors: V
authors: Velagić
authors: Lana
authors: L
authors: Matec
authors: Ivana
authors: I
authors: Zobić
authors: Jurica
authors: J
authors: Zedelj
authors: Marija
authors: M
authors: Strnad
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015897:Comorbidity; D017523:Croatia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012111:Residence Characteristics