Characteristics of subjects at baseline (1984 to 1986)
| Characteristic | Men (n = 3742) | Women (n = 3445) |
|---|---|---|
| Values are percentages. | ||
| *Calculation of lifestyle index (kcal.kg−1.week−1): time spent on walking, gardening, and cycling per week multiplied by the assigned MET value and summarised for each participant | ||
| †Recommendation for MPA: at least 2.5 hours a week of moderately intense physical activity representing 30 minutes on five days a week | ||
| ‡Recommendation for VPA: 1 hour a week of vigorously intense physical activity corresponding to 20 minutes on three days a week. | ||
| MET, metabolic equivalent; MPA, moderate physical activity; VPA, vigorous physical activity. | ||
| Age groups (years) | ||
| 30–43 | 30.2 | 30.7 |
| 44–54 | 36.8 | 33.6 |
| 55–69 | 33.1 | 35.8 |
| Social class | ||
| I (highest) | 19.8 | 12.0 |
| II | 18.2 | 19.9 |
| III | 23.6 | 21.4 |
| IV | 24.4 | 27.7 |
| V (lowest) | 14.0 | 19.1 |
| Lifestyle index* | ||
| 0 | 33.2 | 27.1 |
| 0–<14 | 22.3 | 22.8 |
| ⩾14–<33.5 | 22.8 | 25.1 |
| ⩾33.5 | 21.8 | 24.9 |
| Recommendation for MPA† | ||
| No | 41.0 | 36.1 |
| Yes | 59.0 | 63.9 |
| Recommendation for VPA‡ | ||
| No | 63.2 | 71.2 |
| Yes | 36.8 | 28.8 |
| Body mass index | ||
| <25 kg/m2 | 42.4 | 64.2 |
| 25–<30 kg/m2 | 48.4 | 27.2 |
| ⩾30 kg/m2 | 9.2 | 8.7 |
| Chronic disease index (%) | ||
| None | 68.7 | 64.6 |
| One | 19.8 | 23.1 |
| At least two | 11.5 | 12.3 |
| Cardiovascular risk factor index | ||
| None | 61.1 | 66.6 |
| One | 22.7 | 21.5 |
| At least two | 16.1 | 11.9 |
| Alcohol intake | ||
| None/low | 68.5 | 78.6 |
| High | 19.2 | 11.6 |
| Dangerous | 12.3 | 9.9 |
| Positive dietary habits | ||
| 1–5 | 37.4 | 27.2 |
| 6 and 7 | 45.2 | 44.5 |
| At least 8 | 17.4 | 28.3 |
| Eats breakfast regularly | ||
| Always/often | 90.5 | 92.3 |
| Rare/never | 9.5 | 7.4 |
| Smoking status | ||
| Never | 23.2 | 61.7 |
| Former | 37.1 | 16.7 |
| Current | 39.7 | 21.5 |