BODY-MASS INDEX AND CARDIOVASCULAR-DISEASE RISK-FACTORS IN 7 ASIAN AND 5 LATIN-AMERICAN CENTERS - DATA FROM THE INTERNATIONAL-CLINICAL-EPIDEMIOLOGY-NETWORK (INCLEN)

We have tested the hypothesis that the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and other cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors as wel l as socioeconomic status is different in five Latin American populati ons (where BMI is high) and seven Asian populations (where BMI is low) . Random samples of approximately 200 males aged between 35 and 65 yea rs were selected from 12 general or industrial populations in Latin Am erica and Asia. Standardized measures of height, weight, blood pressur e, blood cholesterol, cigarette smoking, highest level of completed ed ucation, occupation and income were made. The mean BMI (kg/m(2)) was 2 5.3 (SD 3.74) in the five Latin American populations (which were all u rban), 22.2 (SD 3.24) in the four Asian urban populations and 21.4 (SD 3.33) in the three Asian rural populations. Despite the differences i n mean BMI levels, statistically significant positive relationships of a similar magnitude were seen between BMI and blood pressure levels i n Latin America and Asia. Similarly, there was a statistically signifi cant positive relationship found between BMI and total cholesterol in both Latin American and Asian urban samples, but of a higher magnitude in Asian rural samples. Current cigarette smokers had significantly l ower BMI than ex-smokers or never smokers in Latin America and Asia. I n Asia, these were statistically significant positive associations bet ween BMI and levels of education and income as well as with occupation - these relationships were stronger for education and occupation in r ural than in urban samples. There were no statistically significant as sociations between BMI and these measures of socioeconomic status in L atin America. The similarities of the associations between BMI and blo od pressure and cholesterol levels in the two groups suggest that effo rts to reduce BMI in all populations is likely to be important in redu cing risk of CVD. Preventing the future rise of BMI in populations whe re BMI is still relatively low is a high priority. The difference in a ssociation between BMI and socioeconomic status in the different popul ation groups requires study of the way sociocultural factors influence behavior that determines BMI levels.