Risk factor profile of noncommunicable diseases in an industrial productive (25-59 years) population of Baroda

Abstract

AIM: The profile of noncommunicable disease (NCD) risk factors was identiÞ ed in an industrial productive population of Baroda city using WHO’s STEPS questionnaire. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: One of the chemical industries, with approximately 900 employees, was purposively selected. METHODOLOGY: Behavioral risk factor proÞ le and history of hypertension and diabetes (STEP I) was obtained by interview technique; this was followed by anthropometric measurements (STEP II) and biochemical assessment (STEP III) of ‘at-risk’ subjects (≥3 risk factors). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Calculation of the percentage of the subjects having NCD risk factors and the odds ratios between risk factors and NCDs. RESULTS: The majority (93.2%) of the subjects had low daily intake of vegetables and fruits; 79.4% of the subjects had high BMI (≥23 kg/m²). Subjects having a high waist-to-hip ratio and high waist circumference were 78.1% and 48.1%, respectively. Tobacco usage (32.1%), physical inactivity (19.0%), and alcohol consumption (18.4%)) were also prevalent among the study subjects. History of hypertension and diabetes was present in 19.5% and 15.3% of subjects, respectively. About 74.4% of the subjects were identiÞ ed as being ‘at risk’ (i.e., had ≥3 risk factors). CONCLUSIONS: The very high prevalence of NCD risk factors in an industrial productive population shows an urgent need to initiate lifestyle modiÞ cation and nutrition and health promotion programs in industries to curtail the rising epidemic of NCD. It is also necessary to review the possibility of making NCD control an integral part of mandatory occupational safety measures.