Analysis of health-promoting lifestyle behaviours in a group of women with the metabolic syndrome Artykuł oryginalny

Abstrakt

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases remain the main cause of premature mortality in developed countries. In recent years, atherosclerosis and its complications have been observed to appear at an increasingly early age in women. The reason is to be found in the negative changes in lifestyle, which lead to widespread obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, and thus increase the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MS) in the younger generation. In female patients with the disease, comprehensive non-pharmacological measures are urgently required to reduce cardiovascular risk. Among these, a key role is played by healthy changes in diet and regular physical activity.

Objective and methodology: The study analysed the prevalence of popular pro-health behaviours that belong to the concept of a “healthy lifestyle” in a group of young and premenopausal women diagnosed with the metabolic syndrome in accordance with NCEP ATP III criteria. Sixty women aged 19 to 55 were included in the study. All had to complete a questionnaire about their eating habits and physical activity and an additional test evaluated their knowledge of the risk factors of cardiovascular conditions.

Findings: Abnormal body weight was observed for all women in the study group; the mean BMI was 31.4 and the mean waist circumference equalled 95 cm. 48.3% of the patients showed unhealthy eating habits (irregular, high-calorie meals, the main meal in the evening, too many sweet drinks). 70% have tried following a diet in the past 10 years, but none has achieved normal body weight. As few as 11.6% engaged in recommended daily physical activity (i.e. aerobic exercise at least 3 days a week). 60% had inadequate knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors; the level of knowledge did not depend on general education. The analysis of subgroups showed that younger patients (aged < 40) engaged in health-promoting behaviours significantly less often than their older counterparts.

Conclusions: The one characteristic shared by all women in the study group is abnormal body weight. Despite being considerably overweight/obese, most women continue to lead an unhealthy lifestyle with low physical activity and negative eating habits. Unfavourable behaviours are more frequently observed in the younger patient group.