Risk factors for chronic non communicable diseases: Methods and results ofCARMEN program basal survey

Background: In the last decades, chronic non communicable diseases are beco ming the main cause of disability and mortality among adults. The risk fact or surveillance and management is the most efficient mean of reducing the i mpact of these diseases. Aim: To report the results of a non communicable d isease risk factor surveillance program in Valparaiso, Chile. Materials and methods: A random samples of people aged 25 to 64 years old living in Valp araiso, Chile was studied. Subjects were questioned about smoking and physi cal activity habits. Blood pressure, height and weight were obtained to mea sure using standardized techniques at their homes and blood samples were ob tained to measure serum lipid levels and oral glucose tolerance test at the nearest outpatient clinic. Results: Of the initial 3852 homes selected, 75 2 individuals did no agree to answer the inquiry, therefore 3120 subjects w ere finally interviewed. Of these, 40.6% were smokers, 15% drank alcohol in two or more occasions per month, 84.6% were physically inactive, 19.7% had a body mass index over 30 kg/m(2), 11.1% had high blood pressure, 3.9% wer e diabetic and 46.9% had high serum prevalence of cardiovascular risk facto rs among Chileans.