A Cross Sectional study of Selected Modifiable Cardiovascular Risk Factors among Sales Executives in an Urban Organized Sector Industrial Population in Chennai.

INTRODUCTION : “MOVE FOR HEALTH” was the World Health Organization theme for the year 2002. In most parts of the world, non-communicable diseases have become a major Epidemic. This is due, in part, to a rapid change in lifestyles leading to reduced physical Activity, changing diets and increased tobacco use. This trend is present in all societies, Rich and poor, developed and developing. The origin of the current epidemic of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) can be Traced back to the time of industrialization in the seventeen hundreds. The three factors Responsible for this were an increase in the use of tobacco products, reduced physical Activity and the adoption of a diet high in fat, calories and cholesterol. This rising tide of CVD continued into the 20th century. Statistical projections show that 64 million people will die in 2015; 41 million (64%) of them will die from chronic diseases. This is a 17% increase in chronic disease Deaths from 2005 to 2015. In 2005, chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Accounted for 60% of all projected deaths worldwide – i.e. An estimated 35 million people Died of NCDs. The projected 35 million deaths from chronic diseases is double the Number of deaths from all infectious diseases (including Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, tuberculosis, and malaria), maternal and Perinatal conditions, and nutritional deficiencies combined. Some 80% of the deaths from NCDs occur in low and middle-income countries. The five major ncds are heart disease, Stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes. OBJECTIVES : 1. To estimate the prevalence of selected modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among sales executives in an industrial population in Chennai. 2. To study the distribution of risk factors across the various age groups. SUMMARY : The results of this study indicated a high prevalence of behavioral risk factors (smoking and alcohol consumption), obesity, hypertension, diabetes and hypercholesterolemia among middle and high-income young males in an urban industrial population in Chennai. Prevalence of these risk factors increased during the most productive years putting them at risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality at relatively younger age. This population provided an opportunity to study the influence of socioeconomic and lifestyle transition on the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. The results were consistent with the multi-centric study done in industrial settings in India