Correlation between salt consumption and certain behavioral factors in the population of the eastern and Khangai regions of Mongolia / Монголын Анагаах Ухаан

IntroductionIn Mongolia, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and stroke have consistently been the number one cause of population mortality since 1990s. Hypertension is an independent risk factor for CVDs and stroke. There is a conclusive evidence that high salt intake is the strongest dietary factor for hypertension. However, in Mongolia, evidence on actual salt intake of the population, its potential sources and relations to high blood pressure has been in lack so far.GoalThe survey was aimed to determine actual daily salt intake and related behavior patterns in the population residing in Eastern and Khangai regions and in the city and to identify the directions of further activities to decrease the amount of salt consumed per day by the target population.Materials and MethodsThe survey recruited a total of 475 adults from Khentii, Bulgan aimags and Bayanzurkh district of Ulaanbaatar. Questionnaires, physical measurements and laboratory analyses were applied to collect and process the data on population demographics, behavior patterns and salt related KAP, blood pressure and sodium and potassium values in 24 hour urine samples to estimate daily salt intake. A survey database was developed using EPI INFO and the data was entered in twice. SPSS 18 software was used for the data analysis, mean and standard deviations were estimated using t and F statistics on continuous variables with normal distribution, and chi square test was applied to differences in proportions.ResultsMean age of the survey population was 44.5 years; the survey population was not differing in their age, gender and region. Average daily consumption of salt was 9.5 grams in the survey population; it was not differing in terms of region. Men consumed on average 10.1 grams of salt which is twice much higher than the WHO recommended amount. Salt consumption was higher among those aged 45-54 years and rural persons, particularly men. For men and people aged 45-54 years old, the salt consumption was directly related to their salt tea drinking habit (r= 0.14; p=0.04). Those who drink alcoholic drinks frequently have higher body mass index and/or less educational attainment were more likely to drink tea with salt. In the Eastern Region, regardless of a habit of drinking tea without salt, the high salt consumption seems to be caused by insufficient knowledge of salt containing meals and food products (r=.27; p=0.001), lack of awareness of health impacts of salt, as well as lack of attitude towards their control of daily salt intake (r= ; p= ). In the Khangai Region and the urban city, salt added to meals and food preparation (Partial r =.22; p=0.05), salt containing food products and salt tea are the main factors of high salt consumption. The survey population in these areas lacks attitude and practice to decrease and control their daily salt intake.ConclusionSalt consumption is generally high among the adults of the Eastern and Khangai Regions and in UB city; males and rural people are lacking in knowledge and attitude related with salt content of food, food choice and with the potential health impacts of excessive sodium intake.

Isolated systolic hypertension and physical activity / Монголын Анагаах Ухаан

IntroductionIsolated systolic hypertension (ISH) has been found to increase the risk of stroke and coronary heart disease significantly among both middle-aged and elderly men and women. ISH is a higher risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) than isolated diastolic hypertension. Because of this it is important to determine the prevalence of ISH and its associated risk factors in order to reduce CVD mortality and morbidity in Mongolia.ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to compare the physical activity of people with ISH to it of people with normal blood pressure (BP).Мaterials and MethodsWe examined the physical activity using the data of “Mongolian STEPS Survey on the Prevalence of Noncommunicable Disease and Injury Risk Factors-2009”. ISH was defined as systolic BP≥140 mmHg and diastolic BP<90 mmHg. The Control (normotensive) group comprised subjects whose systolic BP<140 mmHg and diastolic BP<90 mmHg. Using to approach of WHO “STEPS” Survey, physical activity was assessed on intensity, duration and frequency of physical activity at work, in recreational settings and during transportation using complex set of 16 questions.ResultsAccording to the survey results, 74% of people who had normal BP and 48.7% of people with ISH engaged in moderate levels of physical activity in recreational settings daily a week. It was statistically difference in two groups. Males with ISH were more likely to engage in high levels of physical activity at work and in recreational settings compared to females. In terms of age differences, moderate and high levels of physical activity at work decreased steadily with age. Mean duration and frequency of physical activity a week weren”t difference in two groups.ConclusionFrequency of physical activity decreased with age in respondents with Isolated systolic hypertension. Males engaged more in high levels of physical activity at work and in recreational settings more than females. Moderate levels of physical activity in recreational settings was lower in respondents with ISH compared to respondents who had normal blood pressure (p<0.05).

Obesity among Mongolian Adults from Urban and Rural Areas.

Shifts in lifestyles and eating patterns have led to an increasing prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases in the adult population in Mongolia. This article reports the prevalence of obesity, abdominal obesity and body fat among 408 Mongolian adults aged 25 years and above. The subjects included 61.2% from urban areas and 38.8% from rural areas, reflective of the 60: 40 urban rural ratio in the general population. Anthropometric measurements were taken according to standard methods. Classification of overweight/obesity was based on body mass index of WHO while abdominal obesity was based on WPRO for Asians. Men made up 47.8% (200) and women 52.2% (218) of the sample. The mean age of the subjects was 46.7±12.7 years. About one-third (32.8%) of the subjects were overweight and 10.5% obese. A higher proportion of women (13.3%) than men were obese (7.5%). The age groups of 35-54 years in men and 55-64 years in women showed the highest prevalence of overweight. Prevalence of abdominal obesity was found in 46.5% of the men and in 65.1% of the women. Women aged 55-64 years had the highest proportion (78.4%) of abdominal obesity. In terms of body fat, 20.0 % and 51.5% of the men had high and very high levels of body fat respectively, while among the women, 15.1% and 55.5% respectively had high and very high levels of body fat. Mongolian adults face serious risk of cardiovascular diseases and other aspects of ill-health brought about by obesity. Prevention and control of obesity should be targeted as an urgent public health agenda in Mongolia.