The Cardiometabolic Multimorbidity Risk Profile of Females Living in Glendale, ILembe District of Kwa-Zulu Natal

Abstract

Background: Empirical studies have indicated that cardiometabolic multimorbidity risk profiles are upsurging among the South African population. However, there is a limited number of studies that have been conducted to validate these findings in rural communities. Aim: To study the prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors of females residing in rural Glendale in the ILembe District, South Africa. Methods: One hundred females (aged 18–40 years) voluntarily participated in a cross-sectional observational study. All participants completed an ISAK somatotype profiling, and measured their fasting cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure and resting heart rate. Results: Participants’ average age, body mass index, stature, and body mass, were 28.34 ± 7.07 years, 29.5 ± 8.06 kg/m2, 157.26 ± 6.09 cm, and 72.9 ± 21.12 kg, respectively. The cohort had a mean waist circumference of 94.2 ± 22.1 cm, hip circumference of 108.4 ± 20.9 cm, and waist-to-hip ratio of 0.86. Participants’ mean heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure were 86.31 ± 8.68 bpm, 116.79 ± 16.34 mmHg, and 82.14 ± 10.87 mmHg, respectively. Eleven participants recorded a resting heart rate greater than 100 bpm. Average blood glucose, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein recorded were 4.87 ± 1.26 mmol/L, 3.78 ± 0.94 mmol/L, 1.76 ± 1.86 mmol/L, and 1.31 ± 0.4 mmol/L. Eighty-three participants HDL-C were below the recommended normative value of 1.55 mmol/L. Conclusion: The average participant presented as overweight, with elevated diastolic blood pressure, and a resting heart rate that has been proven to increase one’s cardiometabolic multimorbidity risk profile. Additionally, a small portion of the cohort were identified to be prediabetic and diabetic. Large proportion of participants had low HDL-C levels suggestive of poor cardiovascular disease protection.