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BACKGROUND: Major cardiovascular disease (CVD) modifiable risk factors include: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, smoking, and physical inactivity. These factors are disproportionately higher in the 18-county Mississippi Delta region compared to the rest of the state and racial differences exist. Temporal trends in risk factors for CVD in the Delta are unknown. We examined trends over the past 10 years in the Delta region.
METHODS: Mississippi Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data from 2001 to 2010 were analyzed. Prevalence longitudinal trends for self reported high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, current cigarette use, and physical inactivity were investigated. Logistic regression models were used to test for change over time in prevalence for each risk factor stratifying by race. The regression models assessed linear time effects while controlling for changes in distributions by sex and age group.
RESULTS: Overall, from 2001-2010, a significant decrease in current smoking prevalence was observed in the Delta region (p=0.008) with an annual average decrease of 1.9%. Significant increases were observed in diabetes (p=0.006), obesity (p<.001) and high cholesterol (p<.001), with annual average increases of 4.5%, 2.7% and 9.6% respectively. There was no significant change in high blood pressure (p=0.238) and physical inactivity (p=0.710). A significant decrease in current smoking was observed among whites (p=0.003) but not in blacks (p=0.412). Significant increases were observed in obesity for blacks and whites (p<.001 for each), with an annual average increase of 3.0% and 2.0% respectively. There was also a significant increase in prevalence of high cholesterol for whites (p<.001) and blacks (p=0.024) with annual average increase of 9.6% and 7.1% respectively. Significant increase in diabetes was observed in blacks (p = 0.006) but not in whites.
CONCLUSIONS: From 2001 to 2010, current smoking significantly decreased while diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity significantly increased in the Mississippi Delta and racial differences were observed. Increases in the prevalence of CVD risk factors highlight a need for more effective prevention strategies targeting these factors.