To establish baseline data in a population of young Chinese women from which lifestyle risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the implications for long-term cardiovascular health can be examined.
Methods:
In a cross-sectional postal survey, a 125-item questionnaire (a translated version of the Minnesota Women's Health Survey) assessing lifestyle risk factors and perceptions of health was mailed to 987 Hong Kong Chinese nurses aged 26 years and returned by 617, yielding a response rate of 63%.
Results:
Of the women surveyed, 7% reported they smoked, 21% consumed alcohol regularly, and 32% exercised regularly. Ten percent reported being overweight or obese, 31% were underweight, and 8% used oral contraception. The findings have important implications for the long-term cardiovascular health of this group of young women health professionals.
Conclusions:
Baseline data of lifestyle cardiovascular risk factors demonstrate that approximately two thirds of the women in this study are at risk of developing CVD when the findings are interpreted within the classification of CVD risk in women developed by the American Heart Association. Further research is necessary to assess women's awareness of risk factors and perceived personal risk.
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