Article

A risk-factor profile for chronic lifestyle diseases in three rural Free State towns

Published in: South African Family Practice
Volume 52 , issue 1 , 2010 , pages: 72–76

DOI: 10.1080/20786204.2010.10873940

Author(s): S van Zyl Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, South Africa , LJ van der Merwe Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, South Africa , CM Walsh Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, South Africa , FC van Rooyen Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Health Sciences, South Africa , HJ van Wyk Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, South Africa , AJ Groenewald Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, South Africa

Keywords: risk , lifestyle , chronic diseases

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Abstract

Background: Chronic diseases of lifestyle account for millions of deaths each year globally. These diseases share similar modifiable risk factors, including hypertension, tobacco smoking, diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidaemia and physical inactivity. In South Africa the burden of noncommunicable disease risk factors is high. To reduce or control as many lifestyle risk factors as possible in a population, the distinct risk-factor profile for that specific community must be identified. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the health status in three rural Free State communities and to identify a distinct risk-factor profile for chronic lifestyle diseases in these communities.

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