In:
American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, Vol. 93, No. 8 ( 2003-08), p. 1302-1309
Abstract:
Objectives. We report on trends in risk factors for lifestyle-related diseases among socioeconomic position (SEP) groups. Methods. We continuously surveyed the adult population of Geneva, Switzerland, for 8 years (1993–2000) with independent, cross-sectional surveys of representative samples (4207 men and 3987 women aged 35–74 years). Age-adjusted linear regression slopes estimated annual risk factor trends. Interaction terms were tested for trend differences between SEP groups. Results. Overall, low-SEP persons had the worst risk factor profiles. Eight-year trends indicate that (1) number of pack-years smoked decreased by half a pack-year among high-SEP female current smokers only; (2) obesity prevalence more than doubled from 5% to 11% among high-SEP men only; (3) systolic and diastolic blood pressures decreased similarly in all SEP groups; (4) unsaturated-to-saturated dietary fat ratio declined in the low-SEP group only; and (5) physical inactivity and current/former cigarette smoking prevalences remained unchanged in all SEP groups. Conclusions. Smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, and physical inactivity are more prevalent among low-SEP persons. Most socioeconomic risk factor differences remained stable in the 1990s. Thus, social inequalities in chronic disease morbidity and mortality will persist in the next decades.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0090-0036
,
1541-0048
DOI:
10.2105/AJPH.93.8.1302
Language:
English
Publisher:
American Public Health Association
Publication Date:
2003
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2054583-6
