Physical Inactivity and Sedentary Behaviour among Panamanian Adults: Results from the National Health Survey of Panama (ENSPA) 2019.

Physical inactivity (PI) has been described as an independent risk factor for a large number of major non-communicable diseases and is associated with an increased risk of premature death. Additionally, sedentary behaviour has been associated with increased overall mortality. We estimated the national prevalence of PI and sedentary behaviour using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire version 2. Using unconditional logistic regressions, the possible risk factors for PI were assessed. Over half of the people included in this study (54.9%; 95% CI: 54.1-57.3%) were physically inactive, with the median time spent engaged in sedentary behaviour being 120 min per day. Statistically significant associations with PI were observed with regard to sex, living area, and alcohol consumption. PI prevalence in Panama was elevated and showed a sex difference (women: 64.7%, 95% CI: 63.7-66.7%; men: 43.4%, 95% CI: 41.5-47.5%). According to our analysis of three-domain-related physical activities, the main contribution to the total estimated energy expenditure of physical activity/week came from the transport domain, followed by the work/household domain, and the least significant contributor was consistently the domain of exercise- and sports-related physical activities.

Diabetes mellitus, its prevalence, awareness, and control in Panama: Data from ENSPA 2019, a national cross-sectional study.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) represents an important global burden of disease. In Panama, DM was investigated in 1 study utilizing questionnaires and in another using biomarkers, but at subnational level. Using data from a recent cross-sectional country-wide population-based study that included biomarkers, we estimated the prevalence of DM, its awareness, and control; evaluating possible risk factors. We used data from 4400 participants aged 18 years or older from the National Health Study of Panama (ENSPA) study conducted in 2019 at a national level. Weighted prevalence and 95% confidence intervals for DM, awareness, and control were estimated by sociodemographic factors, family history of DM, tobacco and alcohol use, nutritional status, and hypertension. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using logistic regression models to assess the possible risk factors associated with DM prevalence and awareness. We generated OR estimates by pooling ENSPA data with a previous regional study, prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. The prevalence of DM was estimated to be 12.4% (10.9%-14.05%). In both men and women, age, family history of diabetes (OR in men: 4.0 ([2.4-6.7]; OR in women 3.5 [2.5-4.8]), and obesity (OR in men: 2.6 [1.4-5.1]; OR in women: 2.0 [0.9-4.5]) were associated with DM. Diagnosed and controlled hypertension was associated with DM only in women (OR: 2.1 [1.2-3.6]). DM awareness was estimated to be 62.6% (56.3%-68.9%). In both men and women, DM awareness was associated with age and a family history of diabetes (OR in men: 6.6 [2.4-18.4]; OR in women 1.9 ([1.1-3.6]). In women, having secondary education (OR: 1.9 [0.9-3.9]) and being diagnosed with uncontrolled hypertension (OR: 3.3 [1.2-9.5]) was also associated to DM awareness. Men in the ENSPA study were less likely to be aware of DM than those in the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (OR: 0.2 [0.0-0.7]). Less than half of the individuals diagnosed with DM had their condition controlled (39.6% [31.4%-47.8%]). This study revealed that the prevalence, awareness, and control of DM were similar to recent estimates reported in other Latin American countries. It also provides a baseline regarding DM and associated risk factors in Panama at a country-level knowledge that is essential for health policy development and useful in clinical practice.

Prevalence of central obesity according to different definitions in normal weight adults of two cross-sectional studies in Panama.

Background: Central Obesity (CO) might arise among individuals with normal body mass index (BMI). We aim to estimate the prevalence of Normal Weight CO (NWCO), using different definitions, and to compare its association with cardiometabolic risk factors in the adult population of Panama. Methods: Data from two population-based studies conducted in Panama in 2010 and 2019 were used. Using standard definitions, normal weight was defined as a BMI between 18·5 and 24·9 while CO was defined as a Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR) ≥ 0·5 in both sexes or a Waist Circumference (WC) ≥ 90, ≥94, or ≥102 cm for men, and 80 or 88 cm for women. Unconditional logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between each CO definition and dyslipidemia, high blood pressure (HBP), diabetes, and clusters of cardiovascular risk factors. Findings: Recent CO prevalence ranged between 3·9% (WC ≥ 102 cm for men and WC ≥ 88 cm for women) and 43·9% (WHtR ≥ 0·5) among individuals classify as normal weigh according to the BMI. Different cardiovascular risk factors were present in this normal weight population but among men the threshold of WC ≥ 102 cm screened less than 1·0%. Interpretation: NWCO was associated with cardiovascular risk factors, particularly with elevated concentration of triglycerides. CO evaluation at the primary health care level may be a useful technique to identify normal weight people with metabolically obese characteristics. Funding: Gorgas Memorial Institute for Health studies via Ministry of Economy and Finance of Panama and Inter-American Development Bank.

Prevalence of hypertension and possible risk factors of hypertension unawareness among individuals aged 30-75 years from two Panamanian provinces: Results from population-based cross-sectional studies, 2010 and 2019.

BACKGROUND: Recent estimates of hypertension in Panama remain unknown. We aim to describe the variation in prevalence and unawareness of hypertension in two Panamanian provinces using two different cross-sectional population-based studies and to investigate risk factors associated with hypertension unawareness. METHODS: Data were derived from a sub-national study conducted in the provinces of Panama and Colon (PREFREC-2010 [2,733 participants]) and from a nationally representative study (ENSPA-2019), in which we restricted our analyses to the same provinces (4,653 participants). Individuals aged 30-75 years who had (a) self-reported history of hypertension or (b) blood pressure (BP) ≥140/90mmHg or (c) a combination or both were classified as hypertensive. Participants with BP≥140/90mmHg who denied a history of hypertension were considered unaware of the condition. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between risk factors and unawareness, expressed as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). FINDINGS: In 2010, the prevalence and unawareness of hypertension in men were 51.6% (95% CI: 45.7-57.5) and 32.3% (25.4-40.1), respectively, and in women 46.0% (42.1-49.9) and 16.1% (12.6-20.4), respectively. In 2019, the prevalence and unawareness of hypertension in men were 46.5% (42.1-51.0) and 52.3% (45.9-58.6), and in women 42.1% (39.6-44.7) and 33.3% (29.8-37.0). Men (2010 and 2019), age <50 years (2010 and 2019), having no/primary education (2010), and living in a non-urban region (2019) were positively associated with hypertension unawareness, whereas obesity (2010), physical inactivity (2010), family history of hypertension (2019), and BP assessment in the year before study enrollment (2010 and 2019) were inversely associated with hypertension unawareness. INTERPRETATION: Benefits of a decrease in the prevalence of hypertension are being undermined by an increase in hypertension unawareness. Actions should be encouraged to strengthen the implementation of the existing healthcare program for cardiovascular risk factor control.