Secular trends in cardiovascular risk factors among women aged 45–54 years in Gothenburg, Sweden, from 1980 to 2014

Background A declining trend in mean cholesterol levels and smoking has been observed in high-income western countries during the last few decades, whereas obesity rates have increased. Simultaneously, mortality from coronary heart disease has decreased. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the trends in cardiovascular risk factors have continued in successive cohorts of middle-aged women over a period of 34 years. Methods Six population-based, cross-sectional samples of women ( n = 2294) mean age: 49.8 years (range: 45–54), living in Gothenburg, Sweden, were investigated between 1980 and 2014. Results Body mass index (BMI) increased over time, with a mean BMI of 24.7 kg/m 2 in 1980 to 25.7 kg/m 2 in 2013–2014, corresponding to a weight gain of 4.5 kg, together with an increase in the proportion of obese individuals (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2 ) from 10.4 to 16.6% ( p = 0.0012). The proportion of smokers and women with hypertension decreased from 34.5 to 12.8% ( p = 0.0006) and from 37.7 to 24.5% ( p < 0.0001) respectively. Mean total serum cholesterol levels decreased from 6.23 (SD 1.09) mmol/L in 1980 to 5.43 (SD 0.98) mmol/L in 2013–2014 ( p < 0.0001). Self-reported leisure time regular exercise increased from 7.8% in 1980 to 35.6% in 2013–2014 ( p < 0.0001). For women born in 1963, the prevalence ratio of not having any of five major cardiovascular risk factors was 1.82 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.38–2.41), compared with women born in 1925–1934. Conclusion The trend towards increasing obesity, more leisure-time physical activity and less smoking remains, while the decrease in serum cholesterol appears to have abated.