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

SummaryObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between occupation and cardiovascular risk factors in women in Tehran.Study design and methodsA cross-sectional study of 566 working women and 561 age-matched housewives selected from among the 15 005 Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS) participants. All cardiovascular risk factors were assessed.ResultsThe 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.ConclusionAn 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.