The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among male Bedouins: a population in transition

Accumulating evidence suggests that cardiovascular disease which was very rare among Negev Bedouins until the 1970's is now on the increase. The Bedouin nomads are being settled in townships and are changing habits and lifestyles as a result. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of known cardiovascular risk factors in Bedouins at different levels of lifestyle changes. To do so, the prevalence of the risk factors was examined in a traditional tribal group and in a settled Bedouin group. Among settled Bedouins, 15% were obese (BMI greater than 30) and a further 35% were overweight (BMI 25-29.9), as compared with no obesity and only 23% of overweight in the tribal group. The differences were most marked in the younger age group. Mean LDL-cholesterol levels also differed between the two study groups, being significantly higher in settled than in tribal Bedouins (113.9 mg% +/- SD 28.6 vs 96.9 mg% +/- SD 27.1 respectively, p less than 0.05). High BMI and LDL-cholesterol were both significantly and independently associated with being settled. No differences between the groups were found in relation to blood pressure, smoking and fasting blood glucose. It appears therefore that settlement of nomadic Bedouins and the changes associated with it, alter the pattern of cardiovascular risk factors in this population.