Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in the embera-chami indigenous population of Cristiania , Antioquia

Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors was studied in 488 individuals over the age of 14 years in the Karmata Rua indigenous population of Cristiania, Colombia. The following rates were found: arterial hypertension 18.1%, family history of diabetes mellitus 3.3%, serum glucose over 126 mg/dL 0.7%, smoking habit 15%, overweight 40.2%, obesity 8.0%, hypercholesterolemia 21.4%, hypertriglyceridemia 33.3% and dyslipidemia 56.2%. Values of body mass index, total cholesterol, glucose, waist circumference, waist/hip index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure showed a positive and significant correlation with age. Higher level of education showed negative correlation with waist circumference, the waist/hip index, blood sugar and blood pressure. In comparison with other indigenous and non-indigenous communities of Colombia and other countries, prevalence of diabetes mellitus was between three and four times lower in the studied population; prevalence or high blood pressure was also lower despite a tendency to overweight. For other risk factors no significant differences were found, but they were more common in women, in people with low level of schooling and in eider individuals. Probably this difference is caused by genetic and environmental factors, such as increased physical activity in men. diet, and population structure. KEYWORDS: Cardiovacular Disease: Indigenous Population: Smoking Habit Estudiamos la prevalencia de los factores de riesgo cardiovascular en 488 individuos mayores de 14 anos, en el resguardo indigena Karmata Rua de Cristiania. Se encontraron las siguientes frecuencias: hipertension arterial (HTA) 18,1%; antecedente personal de diabetes mellitus 3,3%; glucemia mayor de 126 mg/dL 0,7%; habito de fumar 15%; sobrepeso 40,2%; obesidad 8,0%; hipercolesterolemia 21,4%; hipertrigliceridemia 33,3% y dislipidemia 56,2%. El indice de masa corporal y los valores de colesterol total, glucemia, perimetro de la cintura, indice cintura/ cadera y presion arterial sistolica y diastolica presentaron correlacion positiva y significativa con la edad. El grado de escolaridad mostro correlacion negativa con el perimetro de la cintura, el indice cintura/cadera, la glucemia y la presion arterial. Al comparar con poblaciones indigenas y no indigenas de Colombia y de otros paises, se encontro una prevalencia entre tres y cuatro veces menor de diabetes mellitus; en la poblacion estudiada hay menos HTA aunque existe tendencia al sobrepeso. No se encontraron diferenci