The majority of those screened as part of the Kilkenny Healthy Towns project had between three and four risk factors, according to preliminary data compiled by Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT).
Almost 300 people were screened at a number of venues across the city and risk factors included high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high waist circumference and increased risk of overweight/obesity.
Other risk factors included regular alcohol consumption, insufficient physical activity and smoking.
About half of the group had high cholesterol and a similar proportion reported high blood pressure. Just over one-third had a high waist circumference. Yet almost twice that proportion were deemed overweight or obese using BMI criteria.
The screenings found that 63 per cent of those taking part said they were trying to lose weight.
The majority of those who took part were women and the average age of the group was 48 years. The survey also found that two-thirds were married or cohabiting, while a similar number were employed.
Males, older people, married people and medical card holders were all more likely to have more risk factors than their female, younger, single and non-medical card holders, according to the data.
When demographic factors were taken into account, those conducting the screenings found it was noticeable that younger participants were more likely to have no clinical risk factors.
Dr Niamh Murphy led the research with a team from WIT. Those who took part in screenings were given lifestyle advice by trained personnel. Many have also followed aspects of the Healthy Towns project and will be given follow-up screening.
Dr Murphy said approximately three-quarters of the group were insufficiently active – engaging in little or no physical activity or only moderate activity up to twice a week.
“Medical card holders were more inactive and were also more likely to smoke than those who did not hold medical cards,” she said. Overall, less than 20 per cent smoked, but rates were higher among younger participants and the employed, and those who were single.
Dr Murphy said approximately half drank alcohol monthly or weekly with higher rates among those employed compared with those without jobs. More than one-third said they drank more than six drinks on a night out.
When asked how they rated their health, approximately 15 per cent said their health was fair or poor.
Health ratings were significantly lower among the unemployed, medical card owners and single respondents.
When broken down by gender, 49 per cent of men asked, ranked their health as excellent or very good while 45.2 per cent of women classed their health as excellent or very good.
However, the screening results found that just under 40 per cent of those who took part stated that they had been diagnosed with a long-term illness by their doctor.
Older participants, those unemployed and those who were married were more likely to have a long-term illness.
Healthy towns What is it about?
Healthy Towns is a collaboration between The Irish Times and Pfizer Healthcare Ireland and aims to show people how to become healthy through a series of practical steps.
The 10-week project included talks on topics such as exercising correctly, healthy cooking and eating, combating stress, taking care of your mental health and a series of events including weekly walks with the mayor of Kilkenny, Seán Ó hArgáin.
Information on the project and on a range of topics including videos on cookery demonstrations and an eight- week programme of exercises is on The Irish Times microsite: irishtimes.com/healthytowns.