von Katzler R, et al. - Researchers evaluated cardiovascular risk among sailors, and Kiribati and European crew members were compared in terms of lifestyle factors. Participants included 81 sailors (48 Kiribati, 33 European, average age at 38.9 and 36.8 years respectively). A high risk of cardiovascular diseases was reported in 35.4% of the Kiribati and 16.7% of the European crew members, on the basis of the number of established risk factors. Overall, the Kiribati crew members were shown to have a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases primarily because of alimentary habits. They found that, in spite of higher energy consumption levels at sea, weight-gain measured among the Kiribati was upsetting. Therefore, the need for health-improving interventions aboard cargo vessels is corroborated by the findings. Kiribati sailors reported eating significantly larger amounts of food aboard while most European sailors reported eating less or about the same while at sea. Kiribati crew members had significantly less sleep and had a mean increase in weight of 6 kg over a 12 month period.