International Journal of Epidemiology
Volume 31, Issue 1, 2002, Pages 218-226

Rural-to-urban migration and cardiovascular disease risk factors in young Guatemalan adults (Article) (Open Access)

Torun B.* , Stein A.D. , Schroeder D. , Grajeda R. , Conlisk A. , Rodriguez M. , Mendez H. , Martorell R.
  • a Instituto de Nutrición de Centro América y Panamá (INCAP), Guatemala City, Guatemala, Instituto de Nutricion de Centro America y Panama (INCAP), Apartado Postal 1188, Guatemala City, Guatemala
  • b Department of International Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
  • c Department of International Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
  • d Instituto de Nutrición de Centro América y Panamá (INCAP), Guatemala City, Guatemala
  • e Department of International Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States, Nutrition and Health Sciences Program, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
  • f Instituto de Nutrición de Centro América y Panamá (INCAP), Guatemala City, Guatemala
  • g Instituto de Nutrición de Centro América y Panamá (INCAP), Guatemala City, Guatemala
  • h Department of International Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States

Abstract

Background. Migration to cities may increase cardiovascular disease risk factors in developing countries. We examined rural and urban individuals who were born in the same villages and shared similar childhood experiences. Methods. Blood lipids and glucose, blood pressure, anthropometry, body composition, physical activity, and food, tobacco and alcohol consumption were examined in 161 men and 193 women, 19-29 years old, living in their village of birth (76 commuted to work in Guatemala City), and in 76 men and 43 women living in the city. Results. Rural and urban women had similar prevalence of overweight (28%), elevated body fat (29.8 ± 6.1%) and low physical activity (83%). Compared to rural men, more urban men were sedentary (79 versus 27%), and they had higher body fat (15.3 ± 5.3% versus 13.3 ± 5.7%), serum cholesterol (4.27 ± 0.75 versus 3.90 ± 0.70 mmol/l [165 ± 29 versus 151 ± 27 mg/dl]), low density lipoprotein [LDL]-cholesterol (2.66 ± 0.72 versus 2.30 ± 0.62 mmol/l [103 ± 28 versus 89 ± 24 mg/dl]) and total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein [HDL]-cholesterol ratio (4.6 ± 1.0 versus 4.1 ± 0.9). Commuters showed intermediate values. Women had higher serum cholesterol (4.43 ± 0.80 mmol/l [171 ± 31 mg/dl]) than men in rural and urban areas. Urban residents ate/drank more saturated fats, red meat and sweetened beverages, and less legumes. Conclusions. High proportions of young Guatemalan women were overweight and sedentary Migration to a city increased sedentarism and undesirable eating habits among men and women; men became fatter and their lipid profile worsened. Public health actions must address the prevention of emerging chronic diseases in coutries still burdened by undernutrition and infections.

Author Keywords

Migration Obesity risk factors Serum lipids Urban Sedentarism Lifestyle cardiovascular disease blood pressure Chronic diseases rural

Index Keywords

physical activity body composition urban area rural area Guatemala lifestyle cardiovascular risk alcohol consumption saturated fatty acid blood pressure health risk low density lipoprotein cholesterol human controlled study obesity priority journal chronic disease childhood lipid blood level cardiovascular disease male female tobacco risk factor eating habit prevalence cholesterol Article experience glucose blood level rural-urban migration major clinical study adult migration fat intake high density lipoprotein cholesterol body fat glucose malnutrition infection legume anthropometry food intake medical geography beverage meat
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0036203135&doi=10.1093%2fije%2f31.1.218&partnerID=40&md5=b05b4789a11adf32755f6a29440cf1be
DOI: 10.1093/ije/31.1.218
ISSN: 03005771
Cited by: 88
Original Language: English