Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis (2004) 14:143-149 ORIGINAL ARTICLE 143 Self-rated measures of physical activity and cardiovascular risk in a sample of Southern Italian male workers: The Olivetti Heart Study E. Della Valle1, S. Stranges2, M. Trevisan2, E Strazzullo3, A. Siani4, and E. Farinaro 1 1Department of Preventive Medical Sciences,"Federico II" University of Naples, Italy, 2Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of New York at Buffalo, NY, USA, 3Department of Clinicaland Experimental Medicine, "Federico II" University of Naples, and 4Institute of Food Science and Technology,National Research Council, Avellino, Italy Abstract Background and Aim: The number of people who are overweight, obese and~or lead a sedentary lifestyle is increas- ing, and numerous studies have shown that physical activity has beneficial cardiovascular effects. Methods: The aim of this study was to evaluate the rela- tionship between physical activity and the anthropometric, cardiovascular and metabolic variables involved in coronary risk. The study population consisted ofi075 adult men aged 25-75 years, all of whom were workers in Olivetti factories. Physical activity was assessed by means of a questionnaire and the sample was divided into two groups: those practising sport and those who said they were sedentary. Results: Age-adjusted BMI was higher in the participants practising sport, whereas the values of all of the remaining variables O.e. abdominal circumference, skinfolds, heart rate, blood pressure, serum cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, insulin and HOMA) were lower; however, the only statistically signif- icant differences were in heart rate and blood pressure. After the subjects were classified as being normal weight, over- weight or obese on the basis of BMI, the active participants tended to have lower values for all of the parameters than their Key words: Physical activity,cardiovascularrisk, BMI, OGTT, HOMA. Correspondence to: Prof. Eduardo Farinaro, Department of Preventive Medical Sciences,"Federico II" University of Naples, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy. E-mail: farinaro@unina.it Received: 4 July 2003 ; accepted: 15 January 2004 sedentary counterparts in each BMI category. In a subgroup undergoing OGTT, glucose and insulin levels at To and T60 were significantly lower in the active participants. Conclusions: These findings confirm the usefulness of physical activity in preventing cardiovascular disease. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis (2004) 14:143-149 ¢2004, Medikal Press Introduction Improved lifestyles, the control of risk factors and better therapy (in the acute phase and in secondary prevention) have been key factors in reducing the morbidity and mortal- ity due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) over the last 30 years. However, CVD still remains the leading cause of mor- tality and disability in many industrialised countries (1, 2). The greatest progress has been made in controlling high blood pressure (3-5), high serum cholesterol levels (6-8) and cigarette smoking (9), whereas the prevalence of overweight, obesity and sedentary life style have continued to increase (10, 11). The new technologies and the automation of many everyday activities in modem societies have greatly con- tributed to reducing physical activity at work and home, and this reduced energy expenditure and the greater availability of food has led to a positive energy balance and consequent increase in insulin resistance and obesity (12). Recent studies have demonstrated that regular physical activity can have beneficial effects on a number of metabolic parameters clus- tered in the insulin resistance syndrome(13-18); any interven-