Fig. 1

Cardiovascular risk factor levels in men and women. Mean values and female/male differences adjusted for age. Mean levels presented as mean (standard error). Triglycerides presented as geometric mean (95% CI), and differences calculated after log-transformation among participants with available data for fasting values (n: women = 1929, men = 2512). Six participants with missing values for defecation frequency were excluded from the analysis of constipation. BMI body mass index, BP blood pressure, CES-D Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression, CI confidence interval, HDL-C high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, LDL-C low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, LTPA leisure-time physical activity, TG triglycerides