Obesity and cardiovascular risk factors in Saudi adult soldiers

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between obesity and cardiovascular risk factors among men aged 20 years and above.

METHODS: The study involved a cross-sectional survey of 2,250 Saudi male soldiers aged between 20 and 60 years residing in a military city in northern Saudi Arabia conducted in 2004. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and a brief medical history were obtained in a pre-set questionnaire. Serum lipid profile and fasting plasma sugar were requested for all the subjects. A total of 1,079 subjects responded with a response rate of 47.9%. A multivariate analysis was performed to assess the relationship between general obesity, abdominal obesity, and cardiovascular risk factors.

RESULTS: Over 82% of the subjects were either overweight or obese. Abdominal obesity was found in one third, and approximately half were either current or ex-smokers. The means of anthropometric and laboratory measured risk factors for cardiovascular disease showed a progressive rise with increase in age, abdominal, and general obesity.

CONCLUSION: This study has shown a high prevalence of overweight and obesity positively correlated with the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among Saudi adult male soldiers. There is a need for concerted efforts aimed at achieving ideal body-weight together with a reduction in the co-existent risk factors for cardiovascular disease.