The Cork and Kerry diabetes and heart disease study investigated factors associated with the development of these diseases in samples of patients in 17 general practices. Cardiovascular disease risk factors, diabetes and related conditions were common in this population sample of men and women aged between 50 and 69 years.
Almost 4% of those studied had adult onset diabetes but one third of these were unaware of their condition. Nearly half of the group was overweight and a further one quarter was categorised as being obese. Four out of ten reported low levels of physical activity. Approximately half of the population had levels of blood pressure which would warrant further attention though less than half of these were aware of any possible blood pressure problem. Eighty per cent of those studied had levels of blood cholesterol which were above the recommended level. One in five of the sample were cigarette smokers.