Association between obesity and other cardiovascular risk factors in a community of male adults who reside in a rural arsenic-endemic area in the province of Tucuman

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity is a public health problem related to type 2 diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemias, all of which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVRF).
Objectives: To determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity and their association with other CVRF in a community of adult males residing in a rural area endemic to arsenic in Tucumán, Argentina. Materials and methods:
Observational, descriptive cross-sectional study. Consecutive sampling, 295 adult males, 51 exposed to increased levels of arsenic. All patients had a medical history with sociodemographic data, history of hypertension, and smoking. Body mass index (BMI), Total Cholesterol (TC), HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides (TG) were determined. Statistical analysis program: SPSS 23.0.
Results: Education: Complete or incomplete basic education: 91.5%. Social characteristics: married 47.3%, single 43.8%. Economic perception: bad 40% and regular: 40%. There were no differences between the exposed and non-exposed populations, so the whole group was analyzed. Tobacco consumption: 40%. Prevalence of overweight 43.1% and obesity 26.2%. Patients with increased levels of TC, LDL cholesterol and TG for normal weight were 53.6%, 92.1% and 73.7%; overweight was 50.8%, 88.9% and 79.6%; obesity was 47.9%, 91.7% and 72.2%, respectively. Levels of HDL cholesterol decreased by 18.4%, 13.0% and 27.8% for normal weight, overweight and obesity, respectively. No association was found between dyslipidemia and overweight or obesity. Hypertension in normal weight, overweight
and obesity was 59%, 72% and 75%. We found an association between obesity and hypertension, and obesity and diabetes.
Conclusions: These results indicate the need to promote healthy living