ABSTRACT
Risk factors for chronic diseases were studied in a random sample of 475 males and 728 females from the Metropolitan area of Santiago. A questionnaire was used to estimate the consumption of alcohol and tobacco and the level of physical activity. Weight and height were measured and socio-economic situation was classified according to Graffar. Prevalence rates for males and females were: hypertension 8.6 and 9.1%; obesity 13.2 and 22.7%; present sokers 50.7 and 43.4%; sedentarism 75.6 and 86.9%; alcohol consumption 56.2 and 19.8%. Thus, women show higher rates than males for hypertension, obesity and sedentarism. They smoked as much as males and consumed less alcohol. Among women a higher prevalence of obesity, alcohol consumption and sedentarism was observed in lower socio-economic classes. Among males, only sedentarism was more prevalent in lower socio-economic classes. The number of risk factors present was 1 in 28.6% of the population; 2 in 40.1%; 3 in 22.1%; 4 in 3.7% and 5 in 0.1%. Absence of risk factors was observed in only 5.4% of the population. The present data may help to design preventive strategies for diseases related to these risk factors.