Physical activity, physical fitness and cardiovascular risk factors in Suriname

Cardiovascular mortality is the number one cause of death in Suriname, a middle income country in South America. There is an urgent need for interventions targeting the different underlying cardiovascular risk factors in the combat of this rising epidemic. However, data on the distribution of cardiovascular risk factors in this multi-ethnic population of Suriname are scarce. In a cross-sectional observational study we will first collect information on the prevalence of the different cardiovascular risk factors, including physical inactivity, in a representative sample from Suriname. In a substudy, we will evaluate the relation between physical activity and the other cardiovascular risk factors. Based on this information we aim to develop a home-base physical activity program (third study) and test its feasibility within the economical setting of Suriname. However, to be able to evaluate changes in physical activity behaviour, we need valid and reliable devices. Therefore, in the second part of this PhD-research we will test two physical activity devices, i.e. the Sensewear and Actiheart for their criterion validity and test-retest reliability to estimate energy expenditure within the Surinamese tropical climate that is characterized by yearlong high temperatures and high relative humidity.status: publishe