DIETARY HABITS AND RISK OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES AMONG KEEP FIT CLUB MEMBERS IN DANSOMAN

ABSTRACT

Background: Epidemiological transitions characterized by increasing urbanization and changing lifestyle factors have resulted in an increase in the incidence of non-communicable diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in sub-Saharan Africa. The WHO country profile for Ghana shows that 18% of deaths in 2010 were as a result of CVD. In Africa more than 40% (and up to 50%) of adults in many countries are estimated to have high blood pressure. Other risk factors such as obesity and overweight and diabetes are also on the increase in Ghana. It is widely reported that lifestyle modification including regular physical activity and a healthy diet reduces the risk of CVD.

Aim: To determine the risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) among middle aged keep fit club members 18 years and above and age and gender matched control group at Dansoman in Accra

Method: A case control study consisting of 55cases and 29 controls aged 18 years and above was carried out. A questionnaire was administered to assess socio-demographic factors, brief medical history, diet history, physical activity, smoking and alcohol status. Anthropometric measurements were taken and blood pressure was measured. About 3ml of fasting blood was taken by a trained phlebotomist for analysis of fasting plasma glucose, serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. A glucose drink containing 75gm of anhydrous glucose in 300ml of water was given to the subjects without prior diabetes and 2ml of blood was drawn 2-hours after the glucose drink. Serum and plasma from blood samples were kept on ice and transported to the Diabetes Research and Chronic Disease Reference Laboratory, University of Ghana Medical School for analysis.

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Results: There was no significant difference in physical activity level between the KFC and NKFC members. Both groups attained moderate to high physical activity in metabolic equivalence per week. The KFC members exhibited a significantly low total cholesterol (4.62 vs. 5.22, p=0.03) and LDL-cholesterol (3.26 vs. 3.95, p=0.01). The NKFC members showed a significantly lower fasting plasma glucose levels (4.79 vs. 5.14, p=0.01). The prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher in both groups while hypertension and obesity prevalence was higher in KFC members. No significant differences were found in energy and macronutrient intake by both groups; however, per cent mean daily intake of saturated fat in both groups exceeded the RDI (14.9% vs. 10.4%,p=0.32). A relatively high percentage of the participants took two main meals daily (53.6%) and about a quarter of the subjects took meals prepared outside of home on average five times in the week (26.6%).

Conclusion: KFC and NKFC members had similar CVD risk. KFC members did not have higher physical activity despite their membership as the NKFC members engaged more in occupational physical activity. Majority of both case and control met the recommended weekly physical activity requirement in metabolic equivalence. The habit of taking two main meals in a day and eating outside of home needs to be improved. This is because their level of physical activity in conjunction with a healthy diet will offer better protection against CVD.