Prevalence of coronary risk factors in healthy adult Kuwaitis

Abstract

Obesity has been shown to be a serious health risk and is associated with a wide range of comorbid conditions, including diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease (CHD), gall bladder disease, hypertension, osteoarthritis, and certain cancers. Studies in Kuwait and other Gulf States indicate that obesity is prevalent and may be increasing. Previous studies in Kuwait have mostly focused on the epidemiology of overweight and obesity in children, adolescents, and young adults. Relatively less is known about the prevalence of overweight and obesity and its correlates in older adults for whom obesity may be more closely related to CHD risk. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in 9755 adult men and women and to determine the relationship of weight to other risk factors for chronic disease. For the first time we examine a sample of older Kuwaitis to explore the relationship between high BMI, hypercholesterolemia and hyperglycemia. One-third of adult Kuwaitis are obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2), 4.7% of Kuwaiti females have severe obesity (BMI > 40 kg/m2). BMI, cholesterol, and glucose values increase with age across the life span. Older Kuwaitis have a greater constellation of risk factors for chronic diseases. The results of a multiple linear regression model in which cholesterol values were studied, controlling for age, BMI, blood glucose, and sex revealed that age, BMI and sex were significant predictors of cholesterol values. These results indicate that actions to reduce obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and hyperglycemia are needed.

Prevalences of overweight, obesity, hyperglycaemia, hypertension and dyslipidaemia in the Gulf: systematic review

“…Furthermore, of all studies reviewed (including those of random blood glucose and impaired fasting glucose), five considered the effect of age on prevalence. 42–44,49,50 All found the prevalence was higher with advancing age, and in all cases where tested (three cases), the relationship was found to be significant. 43,49,50 …”

“…Five studies were carried out (where reported) and/or published in the late 1980s, 23 in the 1990s, and 15 in the last 10 years. Studies of various 20 Saudi, 24–46 , seven Kuwaiti, 47–50 three Bahraini, 51–53 eight Emirati, 54–60 four Omani 61–64 and one Qatari 65 populations were included. All were cross-sectional studies; 23 of the general population, seven of primary care populations, four of schoolchildren, three of students, one of a young population, five of working populations.…”

“…Seventeen studies 28,29,40–45,49,50,53,59,61,63–65 reported on the prevalence of hyperglycaemia, 12 studies as impaired glucose tolerance, 28,29,40–44,53,63–65 three studies as impaired fasting glucose 45,59,61 or a high random capillary glucose (>10 mmol/L). 49,50 A summary is provided in Table 2.…”

“…49,50 A summary is provided in Table 2. Generally, impaired glucose tolerance was defined as venous plasma glucose ≥7.8 and <11.1 mmol/L 2 h post glucose loading.…”

Factors Associated with Overweight and Obesity among Kuwaiti Elementary Male School Children Aged 6–10 Years

“…[3–5] An estimated one-third of Kuwaiti adults are obese- and there have been several reports describing the pervasiveness of childhood and youth obesity in varying age groups. [3] Rapid modernization leading to changed dietary and physical activity patterns is often hypothesized to be the primary catalyst in Kuwait's obesity epidemic [2, 4, 5]. It is essential to learn more about prevalence, predictors, associated risk factors, and prevention of childhood/adolescent obesity in Kuwait.…”