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Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Among Male Veterans, U.S., 2009-2012
Cheryl D Fryar1, Kirsten Herrick1, Joseph Afful2
1National Center for Health Statistics, CDC, Hyattsville, Maryland.
Insights
Veteran men in the U.S. civilian population have a higher prevalence of obesity compared to non-veterans. This finding highlights a key cardiovascular disease risk factor in this demographic.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Cardiovascular Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in the U.S.
- Veterans represent a significant population segment at risk.
- Limited data exists on cardiovascular disease risk factors by veteran status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare cardiovascular disease risk factors in U.S. veteran versus non-veteran men.
- To identify differences in hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, obesity, and smoking.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 2009-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys data.
- Compared 1,107 veterans and 3,972 non-veteran men.
- Employed chi-square, t-tests, and multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for key demographics.
Main Results:
- Veteran men were older and more likely to be non-Hispanic white.
- Veterans showed a higher prevalence of obesity (42.6% vs 33.7%, p<0.01).
- No significant differences in hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, or smoking after adjusting for obesity.
Conclusions:
- U.S. veteran men exhibit a higher prevalence of obesity.
- Obesity is a critical risk factor for other cardiovascular issues.
- This finding identifies veteran men as a population needing targeted cardiovascular health strategies.
Introduction:
Cardiovascular disease remains an important cause of death in the U.S. where veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces represent a significant segment of the population. Limited national estimates of cardiovascular disease risk factors using physical measurements and reported veteran status in the U.S. civilian population have been reported. The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors among veteran and non-veteran men in the U.S. civilian population.
Methods:
Using data from the 2009-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 1,107 veteran and 3,972 non-veteran men were identified for this study (analyzed in 2014-2015). Differences in hypertension, dsylipidemia, diabetes, obesity, and smoking between veterans and non-veterans were compared using chi-square and t-tests. Predicted prevalence from multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for age, race/Hispanic origin, and poverty level were used to assess whether previous military service was associated with having a cardiovascular disease risk factor.
Results:
Veteran men were older than non-veteran men (59.9 years vs 43.4 years) and were more likely to be non-Hispanic white (79.9% vs 65.7%). Adjusted predicted prevalence estimates show that veterans were more likely than non-veterans to be obese (42.6% vs 33.7%, p<0.01). After adjustment for obesity, there was no difference in hypertension, dyslipidemia, diagnosed diabetes, or smoking between veteran and non-veteran men.
Conclusions:
This study identified a segment of the U.S. civilian population-veteran men-who have a higher prevalence for obesity, a risk factor associated with increased risk for other cardiovascular disease risk factors.
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