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Aims: To determine the prevalence, treatment and control of diabetes mellitus (DM) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) as well as associated factors in the adult population of four cities of the Southern Cone of Latin America (SCLA). Methods: This is a cross-sectional population-based study that included 7407 adults between 35 and 74 years old in four cities of the SCLA: Temuco (Chile), Marcos Paz and Bariloche (Argentina), and Pando-Barros Blancos (Uruguay). DM was defined as fasting plasma glucose ≥126 mg/dL or self-reported history of diabetes. Awareness, treatment, and control of DM were defined as subjects self-reporting a DM previous diagnosis, the use of a prescription medication or nonpharmacological intervention for DM, and fasting plasma glucose <126 mg/dl, respectively. Results: Prevalence of DM varied among cities, between 8.4% in Bariloche and 14.3% in Temuco. Prevalence of IFG varied at different sites, from 3.5% in Barros Blancos to 6.8% in Marcos Paz. Of the total number of people with diabetes, 20% were newly diagnosed at the time of the study. Overall, 79.8% of patients with diabetes were aware of their condition. The treatment and control rate were 58.8% and 46.2%, respectively. Older age, family history of diabetes, lower educational attainment, overweight, obesity, central obesity, low physical activity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia were all significantly associated with an increased risk of diabetes. Conclusions: The prevalence of DM and IFG in the adult population of the SCLA is high and varies among cities. These conditions represent a public health challenge since the rates of awareness, treatment, and control are still low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obesity is a major determinant of cardiovascular disease in South America. However, population-based data are limited. Methods: A total of 7,524 women and men, aged 35 to 74 years old, were randomly selected from 4 cities in the Southern Cone of Latin America between February 2010 and December 2011. Obesity clinical measurements and cardiovascular risk factors were measured using standard methodology. Results: The prevalence of obesity and central obesity were 35.7% and 52.9%, respectively. The prevalence of obesity and central obesity were higher in women, and even higher in women with lower education compared with women with higher education. In men and women obesity was associated with a higher prevalence of diabetes, odds ratio (OR) 2.38 (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.86 to 3.05) and 3.01 (95%CI 2.42 to 3.74) respectively, hypertension (OR 2.79 (95%CI 2.32 to 3.36) and 2.40 (95%CI 2.05 to 2.80) respectively, dyslipidemia (OR 1.83 (95%CI 1.50 to 2.24) and 1.69 (95%CI 1.45 to 1.98), respectively, low physical activity (OR 1.38(95%CI 1.14 to 1.68) and 1.38 (95%CI 1.18 to 1.62) respectively and a lower prevalence of smoking (OR, 0.65 (95%CI 0.53 to 0.80) and 0.58(95%CI 0.48 to 0.70) respectively. Conclusions: Obesity and central obesity are highly prevalent in the general population in the Southern Cone of Latin America and are strongly associated with cardiovascular risk factor prevalence. These data suggest that efforts toward prevention, treatment, and control of obesity should be a public health priority in the Southern Cone of Latin America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research examining built environment (BE) characteristics and walking/cycling behaviors has been conducted primarily in high-income countries and conclusions cannot be applied directly to low- and middle-income countries. We evaluated perceived BE characteristics and walking/cycling behaviors across 355 urban communities in 21 low-, middle-, and high- income countries using individual data for 39,908 adults in the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology study. The 1-week long-form International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to measure walking/cycling behaviors. Perceived BE characteristics were measured using the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale. Mixed effects logistic regression models examined associations between BE measures and walking for transport (≥150 min/wk), walking for leisure (≥150 min/wk), and any cycling for transport, controlling for individual, household, and community factors. Land-use mix diversity, land-use mix access, and street connectivity were associated with higher odds of walking for transport. Land-use mix diversity, land-use mix access, safety from traffic and safety from crime were associated with higher odds of walking for leisure. Land-use mix diversity, land-use mix access, and aesthetics were associated with higher odds of cycling. Differences in associations were observed by country-income status. Our findings can help guide policy makers globally to implement BE design to encourage walking and cycling behaviors. • Wide variation in the prevalence of walking/cycling behaviors across country development levels. • Specific built environment measures associated with increased odds of walking/cycling. • Different built environment characteristics support cycling and walking differently. • Many associations differed by country income status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]