Study of pro-atherogenic risk factors among children in iran

Background: There is evidence that eating behavior, dietary intake and physical inactivity are important pro-atherogenic risk factors known to cause cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Physicians and nurses are an important part of the team, and their advice and practices are very noticeable for for prevention of CVDs. In this study we intend to find out eating habit and physical activity status as proatherogenic risk factors, among nurses and physicians. Subjects and Methods: This cross-sectional survey included 200 physicians and 300 nurses’ volunteers, after giving written informed consent, who were randomly selected by random numbers. The study was approved by ethics committee of KMUS and was carried out in 2011-2012. Dietary habits and physical activity were assessed by validated questionnaires. Results: Mean of BMI was 23.94±3.50. About 50% of the whole study population consumed breakfast regularly. Regular consumption of meals were observed in 10.8% although 2.7% never took meal. Of total subjects, 87.5% of population lunch was the main course of meals and 18.6% of them had more than 3 meals per day; in the other hand 58.3% of nurses had 3 meals. More than 50% of physicians and nurses reported to have interest in eating food. More than 50% of physicians and nurses reported fast eating and 11.2% had habitual fast eating. Lack of appetite was more frequent than over eating. Less than 50% of the participants had regular moderate physical activity, and more than 50% of them reported walking as their main exercise. Conclusion: Mean of BMI were within normal limits, but there were some adverse eating behaviors among the participants. Regular breakfast consumption is important but only 50% of them were taking regular breakfast. Eating more than 3 meals in a day is the recommendation from experts, however only 20% of participants followed it. Lack of suitable eating patterns and correct knowledge from nutrition science can have beneficial effects on eating patterns resulting in to decline in pro-atherogenic risk factors. A normal BMI may be related to regular physical activity in more than 50% of subjects. © 2018 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.