title: Prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Various studies conducted across the country have shown a high prevalence of known risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) (like mean body mass index (BMI), systolic BP and raised cholesterol levels) but no exhaustive data is available pertaining to armed forces personnel. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of raised BMI, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar among serving armed forces personnel ≥35 yrs of age.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was carried out between Jan 2013-Jun 2013. The study included all individuals ≥35 yrs of age deployed/posted in specific districts of northern part of the country (N= 5143) instead of a limited sample size.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this study, obesity was observed in 3.42% (95% CI: 2.96%-3.95%), raised BP in 14.07% (95% CI: 13.15%-15.05%) and raised blood sugar levels in 1.71% (95% CI: 1.39%-2.10%). Additionally, 67.72% (95% CI: 66.43%-68.99%) were pre-obese and 82.65% (95% CI: 81.60%-83.67%) were pre-hypertensives.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lower prevalence of hypertension, hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia was observed in armed forces personnel in comparison to country specific data. However, high prevalence of pre-obese and pre-hypertension suggests a need for concerted efforts towards preventive activities in this field.
authors.affiliation: Professor & Head (Pathology), Integeral Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nangia
authors.affiliation: Officer Commanding, Station Health Organization, Jalandhar Cantt, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Harpreet
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Classified Specialist (Pathology & Microbiology), 9 Air Force Hospital, C/O 56 APO, India.
authors.forename: Kanwaljit
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kaur
keywords: Cardiovascular diseases; Pre-hypertension; Pre-obesity