Dr. Garrido-Méndez, Alex

Background: Housewives represent a important proportion of the Chilean population. However, there is limited evidence about their lifestyles. Aim: To characterize lifestyles and determine the level of compliance with healthy lifestyles guidelines of housewives in Chile. Material and Methods: Housewives from the 2009-2010 National Health Survey were included. The variables studied included levels of physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior, diet, hours of sleep and smoking. Compliance with healthy lifestyle behaviors was evaluated through logistic regression, granting a value of 1 for compliance and 0 for non-compliance. A healthy lifestyle was defined as meeting at least four healthy behaviors. Results: Housewives aged > 55 years had a higher BMI and waist circumference compared to those aged < 40 years. Housewives were also more likely to report moderate alcohol consumption and were more likely to meet a healthier lifestyle score (Odds ratio = 1.52 [95% confidence intervals: 1.09 to 2.11], p = 0.013). No significant age trends were observed for other lifestyle behaviors. Conclusions: Housewives had high levels of central obesity, excess body weight and high levels of salt intake but low alcohol intake. Their healthy lifestyles behaviors increased along with increasing age.

Background: Healthy lifestyles are associated with a better metabolic and cardiovascular health profile. Aim: To investigate the association between a lifestyle score and cardiovascular risk in Chilean adults. Material and Methods: A healthy lifestyle score was derived for 2,774 participants in the Chilean National Health Survey 2009-2010 and based on seven modifiable behaviors (salt intake, fruit and vegetable intake, alcohol consumption, sleep duration, smoking, physical activity and sedentary behaviors). A high score represented a healthier lifestyle whereas a low score represents an unhealthy lifestyle. The association between the lifestyle score and cardiovascular risk factors (obesity, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome), was explored using logistic regression models. Results: One quartile increment in the healthy lifestyle score was associated with a lower risk for obesity (Odds ratio (OR): 0.82 [95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.75 to 0.90], p < 0.01), central obesity (OR: 0.88 [95% CI: 0.81 to 0.96], p < 0.01), diabetes (OR: 0.84 [95% CI: 0.75 to 0.95], p < 0.04) and dyslipidemia (OR: 0.90 [95% CI: 0.83 to 0.98], p = 0.01). These results were independent of major confounding factors. Conclusions: The adherence to a healthy lifestyle is associated with lower cardiovascular risk.

Background: Physical inactivity is an important cardiovascular risk factor. Aim: To investigate the association of physical inactivity with obesity, metabolic markers, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and metabolic syndrome in Chilean adults. Material and Methods: Participants from the National Health Survey 2009-10 (n = 5,157) were included in this study. Body mass index, waist circumference, metabolic markers (blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin and lipid profile) were the outcomes. Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and metabolic syndrome were determined using international criteria. Physical activity levels were determined using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and physical inactivity was defined as < 600 METs/minutes/week. Results: Compared to their physically active peers, inactive men and women had a higher odds ratio (OR) for obesity (OR: 1.77 [95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.29-2.42], p < 0.01 and 1.25 [95% CI: 102-1.54], p < 0.035, respectively), diabetes (OR: 2.47 [1.80-3.38], p < 0.01 and 1.72 [1.35-2.19], p = 0.002, respectively) and hypertension (OR: 1.66 [1.31-2.09], p < 0.01 and 1.83 [1.54-2.18] respectively. An association of physical inactivity with central obesity and metabolic syndrome was observed only in men (OR: 1.92 [1.42- 2.58], p < 0.01 and 1.74 [1.23-2.47], p < 0.01, respectively). Conclusions: Not meeting the physical activity recommendations is associated with obesity, diabetes, hypertension and metabolic syndrome, which are important cardiovascular risk factors.