HEALTH RISK FACTORS AMONG PARTICIPANTS OF THE 33RD BULGARIAN ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION

Abstract

Polar expeditions are physically and psychologically demanding, requiring participants to maintain optimal health and functional capacity. Lifestyle and diet can significantly influence human health outcomes and performance in extreme environments. Health organizations offer unified recommendations for reducing health risks, such as eating balanced diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and limiting salt, sugars, and unhealthy fats, while avoiding smoking and excess alcohol drinking. Regular physical activity and adequate sleep are also emphasized. This study aimed to examine the health habits, including typical diet, smoking and alcohol consumption, physical activity, sleep duration, and stress levels of participants in the 33rd Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition, and to provide recommendations for improving health as a basis for disease prevention and enhanced work performance. The study involved a total of 48 individuals (34 men and 14 women, average ages 47.5 and 41.1 years, respectively). Before departing for Antarctica, each participant underwent medical examinations, anthropometric assessments, and completed a health questionnaire covering typical blood pressure, smoking and alcohol habits, diet, sleep duration, stress, and physical activity. Results indicated that, based on calculated body mass index, only 20.6% of men and 64.3% of women were of normal weight. Most men (79.4%) and over a third of women (35.7%) were pre-obese or obese, heightening cardiovascular risk. Blood pressure findings showed 55.8% of men and 28.6% of women had elevated or hypertensive readings. Regarding smoking, 29% of women and 38% of men were non-smokers; 7% of women and 15% of men smoked more than 20 cigarettes daily. Half of the women and 38% of the men were alcohol abstinent; most others drank within recommended levels. Fruit and vegetable consumption was low among many participants, and most rarely ate fish. Women preferred chicken, while men ate more pork and processed meats. Only a small number of participants were vegetarians. Most avoided extra salt, with a minority using it generously. Half of the men and 7% of the women slept less than 6 hours per night; few exceeded 8 hours. Severe psychological stress was rarely reported. About 90% of participants engaged in sufficient physical activity, 58% of women and 23% of men exercised regularly. In conclusion, many expedition members, particularly men, were overweight, with hypertension, and had unhealthy habits such as smoking, low consumption of fruits and fish, high intake of pork and processed meat products, insufficient sleep, and low engagement in physical activity. Therefore, targeted health strategies, including regular monitoring of weight and blood pressure, dietary improvement, limited tobacco and alcohol use, support for sleep and stress management, and consistent physical activity, are recommended to support disease prevention and the well-being of people during Antarctic expeditions. Collaboration among staff will help optimize health and performance in challenging conditions.