Abstract

This study is designed to assess some of the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in healthy adult subjects in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, in relation to their dietary intake habits. 131 male and female adults aged 20 - 40 years were assessed. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, serum lipid profile and electrolytes among two populations were estimated. Diet history recall questionnaire, food sample analysis and food composition tables were used to compute energy and nutrients intake. In Delta State subjects, the body mass index (BMI) was significantly different from those of Cross River State. There was a significantly higher intake in energy and protein and a lower fibre and ash intake by the participants from Delta State. Total serum cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triacylglycerides (TG) and TC/HDL-C ratio, were also higher in Delta State participants. In conclusion, we inferred that 22, 15 and 35% of the participants from Delta State were at risk of CVD compared to 5, 6 and 10% from Cross River based on the respective BMI, blood pressure and TC/HDL-C ratio values.

 Key words: Body mass index, cardiovascular diseases, dietary intakes, serum lipids.