A profile analysis of some selected health risk indicators in South African women (30 -65 years)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compile a profile of some selected health risk indicators (hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, smoking and physical inactivity) of South African women, aged 30-65 years (x = 41.6 ± 12.8 years) which can be influenced by lifestyle. The respondents comprised 3 818 women who were members of a comprehensive national health insurance in South Africa. Data were collected by means of a demographic questionnaire (including smoking habits), a physical activity questionnaire as well as field tests assessing non-fasting total cholesterol, blood pressure and obesity (BMI). The respondents were selected in two age groups (< 49 and > 50 year) primarily representing the pre and postmenopausal life stages of women. From the descriptive data it appears that the younger group (< 49) tends to be physically less active than the older group (> 50). In all the other parameters the older group revealed higher mean values. However, none of these differences are of practical significance. When a profile is constructed, results indicate that a higher percentage of the younger group fall into the poor category suggesting a more destructive lifestyle in this category. The only exception is smoking where the older group indicated that 5.2% and 9.3% are in the poor and moderate category in comparison with the 2.4% and 11.5% of the younger group respectively