Data from: The role of neighborhood environment in promoting risk factors of cardiovascular disease among young adults: data from middle to high income population in an Asian megacity

Background: Modifiable risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have their triggers in the neighborhood environments of communities. Studying the environmental triggers for CVD risk factors is important to understand the situation in a broader perspective. Young adults are influenced the most by the environment profile around them hence it is important to study this subset of the population. Methods: This was a descriptive study conducted using the EPOCH research tool designed by the authors of the PURE study. The study population consisted of young adults aged 18-25 in two areas of Karachi. The study setting was busy shopping malls frequented by young adults in the particular community being studied. Results: Our total sample size was 120 individuals, who consented to be interviewed by our interviewers. Less than 50% of the population recognized some form of restriction regarding smoking in their communities. The largest contributor to tobacco advertising was actors smoking in movies and TV shows with 89% responses from both communities. Only 11.9% of the individuals disapproved of smoking cigarettes among men with wide acceptance of ‘sheesha’ across all age groups. Advertising for smoking and junk food was more frequent as compared to smoking cessation, healthy diet and exercise in both the areas. Unhealthy food items were more easily available in contrast to healthier options. The cost of healthy snack food options including vegetables and fruits was higher than sugary drinks and foods. Conclusion: This assessment showed that both communities were exposed to environments that promote risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.

背景：心血管疾病（CVD）的可改变危险因素，其触发因素源于社区周边环境。探究心血管疾病危险因素的环境触发因素，对于更全面地认识该疾病的流行现状具有重要意义。青年成年人受自身周边环境特征的影响最为显著，因此对该人群亚组开展研究至关重要。
方法：本研究为一项描述性研究，采用由PURE研究（PURE study）团队开发的EPOCH研究工具（EPOCH research tool）开展。研究人群为卡拉奇两个区域内的18~25岁青年成年人，研究现场设置为该研究涉及的青年群体常光顾的繁华购物中心。
结果：本研究总样本量为120名同意参与访谈的受试者。仅有不到50%的受访者知晓其所在社区存在某种形式的吸烟限制。烟草广告最主要的来源为影视剧中演员吸烟的场景，两个社区均有89%的受访者提及该类广告。仅11.9%的受访者反对男性吸烟，而水烟（sheesha）在各年龄层均获得广泛认可。相较于戒烟宣传、健康饮食倡导与运动推广，两个区域内的吸烟与垃圾食品广告均更为频繁。不健康食品相较于健康食品更易获取，包括蔬果在内的健康零食的售价高于含糖饮料与食品。
结论：本次评估结果显示，两个研究社区均处于助长心血管疾病危险因素的周边环境中。