The relationship between dietary factors and serum cholesterol values in the coloured population of the Cape Peninsula.
A cross-sectional study of 976 coloured subjects aged 15-64 years identified a population consuming a typical Western diet. Nutrient intake, determined by the 24-hour dietary recall method, reflected a diet high in fat (37% of total energy intake) and animal protein and a polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio of 0.85. Only 32.2% of men and 27.5% of women consumed a prudent diet (Keys score less than or equal to 28). The influence of this Western diet on serum total cholesterol (TC) levels was seen to be marked when participants with a high risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD) were compared with those with a TC level putting them at low risk; the former consumed significantly more saturated fat and had a higher mean Keys score. Multiple linear regression analysis on TC levels of men identified six variables that explained 26.9% of the variation of TC. These were body mass index, age, the inverse of the polyunsaturated fat intake, saturated fat intake, polyunsaturated/saturated fat ratio and cholesterol intake. For women only three variables (age, the inverse of the polyunsaturated/saturated fat ratio, and body mass index) explained 30.2% of the variation of TC. Promotion of the prudent diet to lower TC levels of the coloured population of the Cape Peninsula is an increasingly urgent priority.
Steyn
K
K
Centre for Epidemiological Research in Southern Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Parowvallei, CP.
Langenhoven
M L
ML
Joubert
G
G
Chalton
D O
DO
Benadé
A J
AJ
Rossouw
J E
JE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D044383:Black People; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013019:South Africa
D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D002784:Cholesterol