Abstract
BackgroundA declining trend in mean cholesterol levels and smoking has been observed in high-income western countries during the last few decades, whereas obesity rates have increased. Simultaneously, mortality from coronary heart disease has decreased. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the trends in cardiovascular risk factors have continued in successive cohorts of middle-aged women over a period of 34 years.MethodsSix population-based, cross-sectional samples of women (n = 2294) mean age: 49.8 years (range: 45–54), living in Gothenburg, Sweden, were investigated between 1980 and 2014.ResultsBody mass index (BMI) increased over time, with a mean BMI of 24.7 kg/m2 in 1980 to 25.7 kg/m2 in 2013–2014, corresponding to a weight gain of 4.5 kg, together with an increase in the proportion of obese individuals (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) from 10.4 to 16.6% (p = 0.0012). The proportion of smokers and women with hypertension decreased from 34.5 to 12.8% (p = 0.0006) and from 37.7 to 24.5% (p < 0.0001) respectively. Mean total serum cholesterol levels decreased from 6.23 (SD 1.09) mmol/L in 1980 to 5.43 (SD 0.98) mmol/L in 2013–2014 (p < 0.0001). Self-reported leisure time regular exercise increased from 7.8% in 1980 to 35.6% in 2013–2014 (p < 0.0001). For women born in 1963, the prevalence ratio of not having any of five major cardiovascular risk factors was 1.82 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.38–2.41), compared with women born in 1925–1934.ConclusionThe trend towards increasing obesity, more leisure-time physical activity and less smoking remains, while the decrease in serum cholesterol appears to have abated.
Highlights
A declining trend in mean cholesterol levels and smoking has been observed in high-income western countries during the last few decades, whereas obesity rates have increased
We have previously reported a decline in cardiovascular risk factors in five cohorts of middle-aged women over a 23-year period, demonstrating lower rates of smoking, decreasing total serum cholesterol levels, fewer women with hypertension and an increase in leisure-time physical activity over time [13]
The aim of the present study was to determine whether the trends in predefined cardiovascular risk factors, obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes or smoking among middle-aged women have been maintained over time, by adding a sixth cohort of randomly selected middle-aged women, living in the same geographical area, and investigated using the same methodology as for the previous five cohorts
Summary
A declining trend in mean cholesterol levels and smoking has been observed in high-income western countries during the last few decades, whereas obesity rates have increased. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the trends in cardiovascular risk factors have continued in successive cohorts of middle-aged women over a period of 34 years. We have previously reported a decline in cardiovascular risk factors in five cohorts of middle-aged women over a 23-year period, demonstrating lower rates of smoking, decreasing total serum cholesterol levels, fewer women with hypertension and an increase in leisure-time physical activity over time [13]. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the trends in predefined cardiovascular risk factors, obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes or smoking among middle-aged women have been maintained over time, by adding a sixth cohort of randomly selected middle-aged women, living in the same geographical area, and investigated using the same methodology as for the previous five cohorts
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