Table 1 Risk factor definitions, availability and sample size
Risk factor | Description | Years | Respondents (N)a |
|---|---|---|---|
Self-reported measures | |||
Current cigarette smoking | Self-reported status. | 1994-2008 | 181 619 |
Diabetes | Those reporting diabetes that was doctor-diagnosed, excluding women who had only had diabetes during pregnancy. | 1994,1998, 2003,2006 | 59 071 |
Physical activity | High levels defined as spending 30 minutes or more of moderate or vigorous activity on at least five days per week. No account was taken of exercise at work. | 1998,2003, 2006,2008 | 58 184 |
Fruit and vegetable consumption | Portions per day. Healthy eating defined as consuming five or more portions per day. | 2001-8 | 91 225 |
Physical examination measurements | |||
Obesity | Obesity defined as BMI 30 kg/m2 or more. | 1994-2008 | 161 663 |
High blood pressure | Calculated as the mean of the 2nd and 3rd readings for those who had not eaten, consumed alcohol or smoked in the 30 minutes prior to measurement. High blood pressure defined as SBP at or greater than 140 mmHg. | All years except 1999 and 2004b | 117 631 |
Raised cholesterol | Raised cholesterol defined as total cholesterol at or above 5.0 mmol/l. Those who reported taking lipid lowering drugs were included. | 1994,1998, 2003, 2006,2008 | 44 743 |