Influencing Factors on Cardiovascular Health in China

Abstract

The Annual Report on Cardiovascular Health and Diseases in China (2022) intricate landscape of cardiovascular health in China. This is the first section of the report, which dissects influential factors across diverse domains. The investigation identifies tobacco use as a paramount concern, portraying China as the global epicenter of tobacco consumption. Cigarette smoking, exacerbated by second-hand smoke exposure, emerges as a critical and preventable risk factor, contributing to a surge in attributable deaths over the past three decades. In the realm of dietary nutrition, the study discerns an overall improvement, yet discerns worrisome deviations, notably an escalating fat intake surpassing recommended guidelines. The shifting dietary structure reveals diminished consumption of cereals and vegetables juxtaposed with an uptick in animal foods, while excessive intake of cooking oil and salt persists, straying substantially from endorsed levels. The exploration of physical activity patterns unfolds a nuanced narrative. Varied trends are observed among students, with concerns arising from sedentary behaviors and inadequate adherence to recommended guidelines. The analysis spans a trajectory of declining physical activity in Chinese adults, coupled with an alarming surge in sedentary leisure time, ultimately linking these factors to heightened risks of cardiovascular diseases and increased adiposity. An examination of overweight and obesity trends uncovers a relentless upward trajectory, projecting substantial prevalence by 2030. Noteworthy prevalence rates underscore the imperative for targeted interventions to curtail this burgeoning health crisis, with the anticipated prevalence extending to nearly two-thirds of the adult population. Psychological factors, notably depression, constitute an integral facet of cardiovascular health. Prevalence rates among patients with coronary artery disease and acute myocardial infarction underscore the intricate interplay between mental health and cardiovascular outcomes. Additionally, persistent depressive symptoms are shown to significantly elevate the risk of cardiovascular diseases and mortality. This first section underscores the multifaceted challenges facing cardiovascular health in China, emphasizing the imperative for tailored interventions across tobacco control, dietary habits, physical activity, obesity management, and psychological well-being to mitigate the escalating burden of cardiovascular diseases in the population.

Figure 1

Prevalence of smoking from 2010 to 2018 among Chinese people aged ≥ 15 years.

Figure 2

Prevalence of smoking from 2010 to 2018 among Chinese people by age group.

Figure 3

Rate of non-current smokers who saw indoor smokers during 2010 – 2018.

Figure 4

The main reasons for smoking quit attempt in the past 12 months in 2018.

Figure 5

Trend in percentage of energy intake from carbohydrate, protein, and fat among Chinese residents from 1982 to 2015.

Figure 6

Changes in animal and industrially processed food calorie intakes during 1990–2019.

Figure 7

Trend in dietary structure among Chinese residents from 1982 to 2015.

Figure 8

Trend in consumption of cooking oil and salt among Chinese residents from 1982 to 2015.

Figure 9

Prevalence of frequent sugary drinks intake among Chinese children aged 6–17 years during 2016–2017.

Figure 10

Trend in prevalence of harmful drinking among Chinese drinkers aged ≥ 18 years during 2012–2018.

Figure 11

Prevalence of meeting MVPA recommendations for Chinese students in 2016 and 2017.

Figure 12

Prevalence of excellent health status and physical fitness among Chinese Han students in primary and middle schools from 1985 to 2014.

Figure 13

Prevalence of regular LTPA among Chinese adults aged ≥ 18 years in 2015.

Figure 14

CVD mortality.

Figure 15

Trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Chinese residents between 2002 and 2017.

Figure 16

Standardized mean BMI, prevalence of overweight, and prevalence of obesity among Chinese residents aged 18– 69 years from 2004 to 2018.

Figure 17

Prevalence of body weight measurement in the past month among Chinese residents aged ≥ 18 years in 2018.