Risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in a working population with sedentary occupations.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence of risk factors and risk for cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes in employees with sedentary occupations enrolled in a workplace health-promotion program.


METHODS
Participants (n = 762) were recruited from ten Melbourne workplaces, participating in a physical activity program. Demographic, behavioral, biomedical, and physical measurements were collected.


RESULTS
The majority of employees were not meeting recommended guidelines for physical activity (62%), fruit intake (70%), vegetable intake (86%), body mass index (58%), or waist circumference (53%). Most had intermediate (53%) or high (7%) risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of Australian adults in sedentary occupations were not meeting guidelines for a number of chronic disease risk factors and a substantial proportion were unaware of their increased risk. This study supports the potential of chronic disease risk factor detection and intervention programs in the workplace.
Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Victoria 3004, Australia. Rosanne.Freak-Poli@med.monash.edu.au
Rosanne
R
Freak-Poli
Rory
R
Wolfe
Anna
A
Peeters
D000328:Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006291:Health Policy; D006293:Health Promotion; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology; D017132:Workplace