Prevalence of high cholesterol levels, hypertension and smoking, particularly among overweight and obese adults, have declined considerably over the past 40 years, according to a study in the April 20 issue of JAMA. This trend was not true for diabetes, which has had a stable prevalence.
The association between the increase in obesity in the U.S. population and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors has been uncertain. according to background information in the article.
Edward W. Gregg, Ph.D., of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, and colleagues analyzed data from 5 NHANES conducted during the last 40 years and examined whether long-term changes in levels of key cardiovascular risk factors have been different in overweight or obese persons compared with lean persons. The risk factors included prevalence of high cholesterol levels (240 mg/dL or greater [6.2 mmol/L or greater] regardless of treatment), high blood pressure (140/90 mm Hg or greater regardless of treatment), current smoking, and total diabetes (diagnosed and undiagnosed combined) according to BMI group (lean, less than 25; overweight, 25-29; and obese, 30 or greater).