Prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases among men and women in an Arab Gulf community.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) among the adult population in Bahrain, an Arab Gulf country. A total sample of 516 subjects aged 30-79 years was selected proportionally from all geographical areas of Bahrain. Findings revealed that current smokers represented 32% of men and 20% of women (P < 0.001). However, a relatively high percentage of women were exposed to inhalation of other family member tobacco smoking compared to men (29% and 44% among men and women, respectively). Obesity, hypertension and diabetes were highly prevalent and significantly more reported among women than men. Of women, 79.6% were overweight or obese compared to 56% of men. Sedentary lifestyle patterns (Lack of physical exercise and daily watching of television) were also highly reported. About 12.1% of men and 15.7% of women did not consume fresh fruits. The corresponding percentages for fresh vegetables were 8.4% and 5.5%, respectively. The prevalence of well established risk factors for CVD such as smoking, obesity, inactivity, diabetes and hypertension were high and indicates the need for a national health policy to prevent and control the CVD.