[Risk factors for myocardial infarction, stroke and diabetes in Norway]

Frequency of and mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD) have decreased,but type 2 diabetes is on the rise. Risk factors measured in health surveys 2000-2003 are presented and compared with recommended or ideal levels.

In five counties, all inhabitants aged 30, 40, 45, 60 or 75 years were invited to participate in the survey (participation rate 29-75%).

In the age group 30-60 years, about 30% were daily smokers, 50% exercised < 3 hours per week, and 75-90% had total serum cholesterol > or = 5 mmol/L. By age 60 years 40-50% had elevated blood pressure and 23% were obese (body mass index (BMI) > or =30 kg/m2 ). Different measures of obesity, general and abdominal, produced somewhat different results. In younger men, BMI and waist circumference gave a higher obesity prevalence than waist-hip ratio. In contrast, for women aged 60 and 75 years BMI gave the lowest prevalence.

The burden of risk factors in the population is relatively high, and a further increase of overweight and diabetes may stem the decline of CHD. Establishment of a health monitoring system including risk factors is an important element of health promotion.