Association between Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factor Knowledge and Lifestyle
- 1
- 2
Abstract
Objective: To relate cardiovascular risk factor knowledge to lifestyle. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, food consumption and lifestyle characteristics were recorded using mailed questionnaires. The dietary pattern was described using the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS). An open ended questionnaire without predefined choices or answers was used to capture cardiovascular knowledge. Results: Lack of physical activity, smoking and eating too much fat were the 3 most cited potential cardiovascular risk factors, while being overweight, eating too much salt and a low consumption of fruits and vegetables were the least cited risk factors. Age, Body Mass Index, physical activity, smoking, income and dietary habits were not consistently associated with knowledge of risk factors. A low socioeconomic position as measured by the indicator education was associated with a lower knowledge of established and modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusions: Risk factor knowledge, an essential step in prevention of CVD, is not systematically associated with a healthier lifestyle. The findings of this study confirm that there is a gap between risk factor knowledge and lifestyle.
- M. J. Stampfer, F. B. Hu, J. E. Manson, E. Rimm and W. C. Willett, “Primary Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease in Women through Diet and Lifestyle,” New England Journam of Medicine, Vol. 343, 2000, pp. 16-22. doi:10.1056/NEJM200007063430103
- L. Potvin, L. Richard and A. C. Edwards, “Knowledge of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors among the Canadian Population: Relationships with Indicators of Socioeconomic Status,” Canadian Medical Association Journal, Vol. 162, No. 9, 2000, pp. S5-S11.
- E. B. Lynch, K. Liu, C. I. Kiefe and P. Greenland, “Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factor Knowledge in Young Adults and 10-Year Change in Risk Factors: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study,” American Journal of Epidemiology, Vol. 164, No. 12, 2006, pp. 1171-1179. doi:10.1093/aje/kwj334
- J. J. Feldman, D. M. Makuc, J. C. Kleinman and J. Cornoni-Huntley, “National Trends in Educational Differentials in Mortality,” Amercian Journal of Epidemiology, Vol. 129, No. 5, 1989, pp. 919-933.
- M. Huisman, A. E. Kunst, O. Andersen, M. Bopp, J. K. Borgan, C. Borrell, et al., “Socioeconomic Inequalities in Mortality among Elderly People in 11 European Populations,” Journal of Epidemiology Community Health, Vol. 58, No. 6, 2004, pp. 468-475. doi:10.1136/jech.2003.010496
- M. Rosvall, B. Chaix, J. Lynch, M. Lindstrom and J. Merlo, “Similar Support for Three Different Life Course Socioeconomic Models on Predicting Premature Cardiovascular Mortality and All-Cause Mortality,” BMC Public Health, Vol. 6, 2006, p. 203. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-6-203
- K. Manhem, A. Dotevall, L. Wilhelmsen and A. Rosengren, “Social Gradients in Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Symptoms of Swedish Men and Women: The Goteborg MONICA Study 1995,” European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation, Vol. 7, No. 5, 2000, pp. 359-368.
- M. L. Slattery, “Defining Dietary Consumption: Is the Sum Greater than Its Parts?” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 88, No. 1, 2008, pp. 14-15.
- F. Sofi, F. Cesari, R. Abbate, G. F. Gensini and A. Casini, “Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and Health Status: Meta-Analysis,” British Medical Journal, Vol. 337, No. a1344, 2008. doi:10.1136/bmj.a1344
- P. Mullie, P. Clarys, M. Hulens and G. Vansant, “Reproducibility and Validity of a Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire among Military Men,” Military Medicine, Vol. 174, No. 8, 2009, pp. 852-856.
- P. Autier, J. Creplet, G. Vansant, C. Brohet, N. Paquot, E. Muls, et al., “The Impact of Reimbursement Criteria on the Appropriateness of ‘Statin’ Prescribing,” European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation, Vol. 10, No. 6, 2003, pp. 456-462. doi:10.1097/01.hjr.0000103276.02552.57