Blood lipid levels in New Zealand.
OBJECTIVE
the study aimed to determine age and gender specific levels of lipids and lipoproteins in New Zealanders. Participants were randomly selected from 20 general electoral roles, and from a sample of 15-18 year olds.


METHODS
plasma cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels were measured in 2941 men and women aged 15-99 years.


RESULTS
mean (SD) plasma cholesterol was 6.0 (1.3) mmol/L in men and 6.1 (1.3) mmol/L in women. There was a marked variation in total cholesterol and calculated LDL cholesterol with age, and the pattern was different in men and women. There was also a considerable regional variation; levels tending to increase from north to south. Overall mean cholesterol levels adjusted for age and geographical distribution were 5.8 and 6.0 mmol/L for men and women respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
the fact that approximately a third of the adult population in New Zealand under 65 years have cholesterol levels greater than 6.5 mmol/L indicates the need for effective diet and lifestyle changes to reduce the high rates of CHD.
Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin.
J I
JI
Mann
A
A
Duncan
M J
MJ
Ball
I K
IK
Robertson
M
M
Thomas
N C
NC
Wilson
D G
DG
Russell
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D008055:Lipids; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol