Women, occupation and cardiovascular risk factors: Findings from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

Objective: To investigate the relationship between occupation and cardiovascular risk factors in women in Tehran. Study design and methods: A cross-sectional study of 566 working women and 561 age-matched housewives selected from among the 15005 Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS) participants. All cardiovascular risk factors were assessed. Results: The means of body mass index, waist circumference, waist to hip ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, triglycerides and total cholesterol were significantly higher in housewives as compared to working women (P < 0.05). Nine percent of working women and 17% of housewives had 4-6 cardiovascular risk factors; 1% of housewives had 7-8 cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusion: An increase in some cardiovascular risk factors was seen in housewives as compared to working women, and the percentage of housewives with 4-6 risk factors was found to be twice that of working women. (c) 2007 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The Royal Institute of Public Health.