Gender differences in cardiovascular disease risk: Adolescence to young adulthood

Background and aims: Gender differences in cardiovascular disease (CVD) have been well documented but rarely for young adults and the extent to which gender related lifestyle differences may contribute to gender differences in CVD risk experienced by young adults have not been reported.

Methods and results: Data are from a long-running cohort study, the Mater-University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy (MUSP). We track gender differences in CVD related behaviours at 21 and 30 years (consumption of a Western Diet/Health-Oriented Diet, cigarette smoking, vigorous physical exercise, heavy alcohol consumption). At 30 years we compare males and females for CVD risk, and the extent to which lifestyle behaviours at 21 and 30 years contribute to CVD risk. At both 21 and 30 years of age, males more frequently consume a Western Diet and less often a Health Oriented Diet. By contrast, males are also much more likely to report engaging in vigorous physical activity. On most CVD markers, males exhibit much higher levels of risk than do females at both 21 and 30 years. At 30 years of age males have about five times the odds of being at high risk of CVD. Some lifestyle behaviours contribute to this additional risk.

Conclusion: Young adult males much more frequently engage in most CVD related risk behaviours and males have a higher level of CVD risk. Gender differences in CVD risk remain high even after adjustment for CVD lifestyles, though dietary factors independently contribute to CVD risk at 30 years.