Physical activity and cardiovascular disease risk factors among young and middle-aged men in urban Mwanza, Tanzania.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) risk factors are increasing at an unprecedented rate in developing countries. However, fewer studies have evaluated the role of physical activity in preventing CVD in these countries. We assessed level physical activity and its relationship with CVD risk factors among young and middle aged men in a fast growing city of Mwanza in Tanzania.

Deterioration of traditional dietary custom increases the risk of lifestyle-related diseases in young male Africans.

Background: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) is rapidly increasing worldwide. To investigate the spread of MS risks and its relationship with eating habits including fish intake, we carried out a health examination for young and middle-aged men.

Methods: The subjects were 97 healthy men (20 to 50 years) living in Mwanza, located on the shore of Lake Victoria in Tanzania.

Daily energy expenditure and cardiovascular risk in Masai, rural and urban Bantu Tanzanians.

Background: Several studies have revealed that the Masai, pastoralists in Tanzania, have low rates of coronary heart disease despite a diet high in saturated fat. It has also been suggested that they may be genetically protected. Recent studies detailing other potential protective factors, however, are lacking.

Physical activity and blood lipids in rural and urban Tanzanians.

Background: Physical inactivity and raised blood lipids are two powerful risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD). Incidence and mortality from CHD are expected to increase in developing countries. However, studies on the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in Africa are rare.

Determinants of hyperleptinaemia in an African population.

Objective: To examine the determinants for elevated plasma leptin concentration in normal weight (NW), obese (OB), and morbidly obese (MO) individuals in Tanzania.

Design: Cross-sectional epidemiological study, the CARDIAC study.

Setting: Three areas in Tanzania; Dar es Salaam, urban (U), Handeni, rural (R) and Monduli, pastoralists (P), in August 1998.