Methodology of the fasting sub-sample from the Mexican Health Survey, 2000

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To report the comparative results of the sub-sample of fasting adults selected for the biochemical measurement of cardiovascular risk factors and the rest of the Mexican Health Survey (MHS) (2000) participants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The nationally representative, cross-sectional Mexican Health Survey (2000) was analyzed. Survey participants reporting a fasting state period of 9- to 12-h were included in a sub-sample (n= 2 535) and compared with all other participants (n= 41 126). Prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated for socio-demographic, anthropometric, health and personal background characteristics and compared between groups using Pearson chi2 to determine significant differences. Mean and 95%CI and a T-test were calculated to analyze continuous variables. RESULTS: From the 45 294 adults participating in the MHS, 5.59% were at fasting state. The fasting sub-sample (FS) had a higher male-to-female ratio and was on average 3.5 years younger than the non-fasting participants (NF) and had a 1.5cm wider average waist circumference. No differences were found in location, country region, socio-economic status, indigenous population, or literacy. Also, no differences were found in weight, height, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, prevalence of diabetes mellitus, previous medical diagnosis of dislypidemias, or tobacco or alcohol consumption. CONCLUSION: This paper documents the characteristics of the fasting sub-sample from the Mexican Health Survey (MHS). Overall, the non-fasting participants had no relevant differences that can contribute to generate biased results in the analysis of biochemical indicators of cardiovascular risk.