Extended Abstract
1. Introduction
Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are a global health problem and a threat to the health and development of the countries [1, 2]. Elevating life expectancy and rapid population growth have increased the burden of NCDs [2, 4-9]. Such diseases are estimated to be responsible for 73% of all deaths and 60% of the disease burden in 2020 [8]. Major risk factors for NCDs in most countries include hypertension, diabetes, obesity, high blood lipids, smoking, inappropriate nutrition and physical inactivity [2, 4, 5, 7, 10-13]. The growing population of elderly in Iran is estimated to make up 10% of its population by 2021 [17]. In addition, considering the importance of NCDs among older adults, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of risk factors for noncommunicable diseases among older adults in Iran. We attempted to provide a basis for future interventions on reducing the risk factors for such diseases in the elderly.
2. Participants and methods
This analytical correlational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted in 2014. The study population consisted of all the elderly in Birjand City, Iran. Of them, 400 were selected as study samples by random cluster sampling method. First, Birjand City was divided into 4 regions based on geographical status. Then, 40 cluster heads were assigned based on the random postal codes received from the post office (10 clusters/4 regions).
Each cluster head comprised the postal address of a house. Sampling in each cluster head was started from the assigned house; and by moving to the right direction from the assigned house, 10 older adults aged ≥60 years (5 men and 5 women) were selected. Data were collected by trained health professionals and through interviews and using the World Health Organization STEP wise approach to noncommunicable diseases surveillance (STEPS) instrument. The first steps consisted of exploring demographic information and measuring tobacco use, diet, and physical activity; and the next step comprised physical measurements (i.e. blood pressure, height, weight, waist, and hip circumference). In this regard, a portable digital scale (SEKA model) and a portable measurement rod for measuring the weight and height of samples; a flexible non-stretching measuring tape for assessing waist and hip circumference; and a sphygmomanometer (Riester, Germany) for measuring blood pressure were used. Eventually, the collected data were analyzed in SPSS by descriptive statistics and Chi-squared test, Independent Samples t-test, and one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The significance level was set at P=0.05. This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Birjand University of Medical Sciences (code: IR.BUMS.1394.82).
3. Results
Of 400 participants, 200 (50%) were male with the Mean±SD age of 70±6.4 years. Moreover, 177(44.2%) were illiterate; 169(42.3%) reported a junior high school education, and 54(13.5%) senior high school and above. In total, 3 (0.7%) were single; 301 (75.2%) married; 73(18.3%) widow/widower, and 23(5.8%) divorced. A total of 43.3% reported the consumption of liquid vegetable oil; 41% solid vegetable oil; 12.8% butter or animal oil, and 2.9% consumed other oil types. Moreover, 64.5% of men and 35.5% of women added table salt to food, and the difference between them was significant (P<0.001). 
The prevalence rate of smoking was 10.7% and men were significantly more likely to use tobacco (P=0.001). The prevalence rate of hookah smoking was 7.5%, which was significantly higher in men (P=0.023). The Mean±SD Body Mass Index (BMI) score of samples was 26.4±5.2 kg/m2 which was significantly higher in women (P<0.001). In this regard, 19% were lean, 32% normal, 25.8% were overweight, and 23.2% were obese; the prevalence of overweight and obesity was significantly higher in women (P<0.001). In respect of the waist-hip ratio, 63.5% of the samples had abdominal obesity; its prevalence was significantly higher in women (P<0.001). The Mean±SD systolic and diastolic blood pressure scores of samples were 124.4±13.5 and 83.6±11.9 mmHg, respectively. The prevalence of hypertension among subjects was 34.5%, with no significant gender difference (P=0.14). A total of 39% of samples had not measured their blood pressure over the past year. In terms of diet, the Mean±SD fruit, vegetable, and fish consumption of samples were 4.1±1.8, 3.3±2, and 0.5±0.6 d/wk, respectively. Furthermore, their Mean±SD dairy consumption was 4.2±1.8 d/wk; the Mean±SD consumption of carbonated soft drinks was 1.3±1.4 d/wk; and the Mean±SD fast food consumption was 0.0±5.8 d/wk. Moreover, the inadequate consumption rate of fruits, vegetables, fish and dairy products was 73.8%, 67.8%, 95%, and 74.5%, respectively. In terms of physical activity, 55% failed to report a minimum 10-min/d walking, and the prevalence of physical inactivity was significantly higher in women (P=0.005) (Table 1).

4. Conclusion
The obtained results indicated the significant and high prevalence of NCD risk factors, especially overweight and obesity, physical inactivity, abdominal obesity, and inappropriate nutrition in the studied older adults. The NCDs are the leading cause of mortality and disability in the world, and aged population and their growth are important. Thus, planning for comprehensive educational interventions for smoking cessation, creating dietary diversity and balance, performing age-appropriate exercises, and improving lifestyle with the goal of preventing NCDs and having a healthier, longer, and more quality life in the elderly should be addressed by health officials and policymakers.

Ethical Considerations
Compliance with ethical guidelines
This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Birjand University of Medical Sciences with the code of IR.BUMS.1394.82.
Funding
This research has been extracted from the research project (No. 58.92) funded by Birjand University of Medical Sciences.
Authors contributions
Conceptualization: Huriye Khodabakhshi, Gholamreza Sharifzadeh; Methodology: Huriye Khodabakhshi, Amir Tiyuri; Analysis: Amir Tiyuri; Research and review: Elahe Yari, Davoud Beheshti; Writing–review and editing: All authors.
Conflict of interest
The authors declared no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgements
We thank the Vice-president of Research and Technology of Birjand University of Medical Sciences.