Cardiovascular risk factors in young Gypsy population

Lipid and non-lipid cardiovascular risk parameters (cholesterol, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, homocysteine, C-reactive protein, insulin resistance) and data about blood pressure, smoking, body mass index were assessed in two ethnic groups aged 19-35 years--the Gypsy group (n=122) and the Slovak group (n=137) of two regions with a high density of Gypsy population. In the Gypsy group, the values of triglycerides, atherogenic index, insulin, insulin resistance were significantly increased and the level of HDL-cholesterol was significantly decreased. The risk value of atherogenic index was found in 27 % of Gypsy vs 13 % of majority subjects, and 28 % vs 24 % of subjects had hypertriglyceridemia. Risk value of insulin resistance (HOMA) was presented in 11 % of the Gypsy vs 5 % of the majority group. More obese subjects (20 % vs 8 %), more smokers (55 % vs 25 %) and more subjects with low education (85 % vs 27 %) were recorded in the minority group. The greater occurrence of dyslipidemia, obesity and insulin resistance in young Gypsy subjects is influenced with lifestyle (nutrition /prevalence of animal fat consumption, low consumption of food with low glycemic index and soluble fibre/, smoking, low physical activity) as well as low educational status. (Tab. 2, Ref. 22.).