Healthier than the rest?: physical activity and cardiovascular disease risk factors in adults in the county of Sogn & Fjordane, Norway

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) is important to maintain good health and prevent noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, low levels of PA are observed worldwide. Monitoring of CVD risk factors, objectively measured PA levels, and their correlates is important for surveillance and assessment of the effectiveness of interventions or public health initiatives aimed at increasing PA. Such data in the Norwegian population are needed, and because local cultural discrepancies may occur, regional data are important. Of particular interest is Sogn & Fjordane, a rural Norwegian county that was included in the National Health Screening Service (NHSS) in the mid-1970s due to its positive characteristics with respect to CVD morbidity, mortality, life expectancy and health behaviors. The overall aims of this thesis were to increase our knowledge regarding the levels and trends in PA and CVD risk factors in adults in Sogn & Fjordane, to explore correlates of PA in this population, and where appropriate, to make comparisons with the rest of Norway.

Paper I: Solbraa AK, Mamen A, Ylvisåker E, Resaland GK, Steene-Johannessen J, Holme IM, Anderssen SA. Level of physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiovascular

Paper II: Solbraa AK, Holme IM, Graff-Iversen S, Resaland GK, Aadland E, Anderssen SA. Physical activity and cardiovascular risk factors in a 40-42-year-old rural Norwegian population from 1975 – 2010: repeated cross-sectional surveys. BMC Public Health. 2014;14:569. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-14-569.

Paper III: Solbraa AK, Ekelund U, Holme IM, Graff-Iversen S, Steene-Johannessen J, Aadland E, Anderssen SA. Long-term correlates of objectively measured physical activity and sedentary time in Norwegian men and women. (On request, revised and resubmitted to J Phys Act Health).

Paper IV: Solbraa AK, Anderssen SA, Holme IM, Kolle E, Hansen BH, Ashe MC. The built environment correlates of objectively measured physical activity in Norwegian adults: a cross-sectional study. (Under review).