[Changes in cardiovascular risk factors among men in Oslo during 28 years]

The aim of the study was to measure changes in known risk factors for cardiovascular disease among men over a period of 28 years.

The present cohort study comprises a selection of men previously included in the Oslo-study of 1972/73. The men selected, were either followed-up in the Oslo II study (n = 5,323), or were included in five other studies in the period 1996-2001 (n = 1,834). The total material is named The second screening of the Oslo-study and consists of 7157 men.

The men were born between 1923 and 1952. All age groups showed a marked increase in mean weight by 4.4 Kg. Body Mass Index changed from 24.3 to 26.4 kg/m2 , coinciding with reduced level of physical activity in all age groups. A comparison of body mass index in men of the same age in 1972/73 and 2000, show a mean increase in body mass index of two units. An increase of 0.30 mmol/L glucose (non-fasting) was observed. Total cholesterol decreased from 6.19 to 5.95 mmol/L and triglycerides remained unchanged (1.89 to 1.87 mmol/L). Systolic blood pressure increased but not the diastolic pressure. Overall 30.8 % of the men took medication for increased blood pressure, versus 3.1 % at the first screening. The percentage of daily smokers decreased from 44.2 % to 17.4 %.

The most encouraging result was the strong reduction in number of daily smokers. The study confirms the weight increase observed among men in Norway.