[Gender Differences of Behavioral Risk Factors in Saint-Petersburg Inhabitants]

In developed countries there are significant gender differences in lifetime expectancy that can be explained by behavioral risk factors (RF).

The aim of our study was to estimate gender features of behavioral RF in general population of Saint-Petersburg, Russia.

As a part of all-Russian epidemiology survey ESSE-RF a random sampling of 1600 Saint-Petersburg inhabitants (25-64 y.o.) stratified by age and sex was performed. All participants filled in the questionnaire. Anthropometry (weight, height, body-mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and fasting blood-tests (lipids, glucose by Abbott Architect 8000 (USA)) were performed.

There were examined 573 (36%) men and 1027 (64%) women. No gender differences in obesity were found according to BMI criteria--in 178 (31.2%) women and 352 (35.1%) men. Obesity was more often detected in females according to WC criteria: ATPIII--44.1 vs 30.3%; IDF 51.2 vs 66.4% (p < 0.001 for both). Linear regression analysis was performed and age was associated with BMI--1.6 kg/m2/decade, WC in women--5.2 cm/decade and WC in men--2.8 cm/decade, p < 0.001 for all anthropometric parameters. Optimal level of physical activity was equally documented in both genders--540 (61.2%) women and 286 (58.9%) men. Daily intake of sweets was lower in men--228 (39.8%) vs 539 (52.5%) in women (p < 0.001). 810 (50.6%) of trial subjects were non-smokers, 395 (24.7%) were former smokers, and 395 (24.7%) were smokers at the moment of trial. The higher number of female smokers was observed--194 (19.1%).

A high prevalence of obesity is observed in sample of Saint-Petersburg inhabitants--it is higher among women according to WC criteria regardless of menopause, possibly due to bigger sweets consumption. Males smoke more often and consume less fresh fruits and vegetables which is accompanied by a higher prevalence of hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia.