Omid Toupchian - PhD, Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Shima Abdollahi - MSc, Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Mehnoosh Samadi - MSc, Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Fahime Zeinali - MSc, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

Background: According to the high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases(CVDs) in developing countries as well as high treatment expenses for patientsand health-care systems, CVDs prevention in such societies has a greatimportance. One of the most effective strategies is improvement of knowledgeand attitude towards the CVDs risk factors. This study aimed to evaluate theknowledge and attitude of females on CVDs risk factors and also the relationshipbetween knowledge and attitude with obesity indices and biochemicalparameters. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 89 womenwith the age range of 11 to 67 y old and body mass index (BMI) of 24 to 51kg/m2. Participants were interviewed face to face using a valid questionnaire inorder to evaluate their knowledge and attitude on CVDs risk factors. Bloodsampling was implemented after 12 h of overnight fasting. Fasting blood glucose(FBG) and lipid profile were assessed by enzymatic methods. Anthropometricmeasurements were performed and obesity indices were calculated. Results:More than 70% of participants had moderate or good knowledge and attitudeabout CVDs risk factors. Participant s knowledge and attitude had a significantpositive association with educational level and a significant reverse relationshipwith age, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and obesity indices. Conclusions:Results of this study indicated that knowledge and attitude levels on CVDs riskfactors affect the obesity indices and metabolic profile. Hence, knowledge andattitude enhancement is the main target and initial step in improving life qualityand preventing cardiovascular diseases.

Cardiovascular Diseases; BMI; Knowledge; Attitude