Dependent and independent variables of cardiovascular disease in rural and urban men of Punjab, India

To study major determinants of cardiovascular disease among adult men.

One hundred twenty men (30–50 years old), sixty belonging each to rural and urban community of Punjab, India who were diagnosed with a heart condition and were visiting OPD of Hero DMC heart institute, were selected. Anthropometric parameters namely height, weight, waist and hip were measured. Derived anthropometric measurements namely BMI, waist/hip ratio, weight/height ratio, conicity index and abdominal volume index were computed. The blood samples were assayed for vitamin D, fasting blood glucose level and total lipid profile of the subjects.

Average body mass index of rural and urban men was 27.20±3.27 and 28.74±4.87 kg/m², respectively. Both were on the higher side than the cut off value of 22.9 kg/m². The average weight was higher in both the groups, but the conicity Index and waist to hip ratio was higher in urban group than the standard value. Sleeping and sitting hours were higher in urban men while 39 and 49 per cent of rural and urban subjects were moderately active. There was a significant difference in consumption of legumes, roots, green leafy vegetables, other vegetables and nuts and oils. Intake of energy and protein was lower than but the intake of fats and carbohydrates was higher than the RDA. Sleeping hours was positively correlated with weight, BMI, waist circumference, total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides, VLDL-C.

The study concluded that more sleeping hours, higher carbohydrate and fat intake, low vitamin D levels, more conicity index in urban men and abdominal volume index resulted in pre obese condition of the subjects that leads to cardiovascular associated problems. Therefore, it is recommended to emphasize on proper diet, not more than 8 hours sleeping restricted use of sugar and alcohol and increase exposure to sun for vitamin D.