Declining levels of total serum cholesterol in adult New Zealanders.
OBJECTIVE
To measure the average serum concentration of total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol in a representative sample of New Zealanders.


METHODS
Serum total and high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were measured in a representative sample of 1,412 men and 1,741 :women aged 15 years or older who participated in the National Nutrition Survey (1997) of New Zealanders.


RESULTS
The average serum total cholesterol concentration in men was the same as in women (5.7 mmol/L); however, younger women (44 years and under) tended to have lower levels and older women (55 years and over) higher levels of total cholesterol than men. Women in all age groups had higher average levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (1.4 mmol/L) than men (1.2 mmol/L). Ethnic differences were apparent with Maori men having significantly higher average levels of total cholesterol than their New Zealand European counterparts.


CONCLUSIONS
Mean serum total cholesterol concentration in women has declined by 0.3 mmol/L from 6.0 mmol/L (p<0.05) since the previous representative survey of New Zealanders (Life in New Zealand Survey, 1989), but by only 0.1 mmol/L in men, despite a similar reduction amongst men and women in the proportion of dietary energy derived from total and saturated fat. It is possible that weight gain in men and women during the last nine years is having a differential effect on serum cholesterol concentrations.
Skeaff
C M
CM
Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin. murray.skeaff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz
Mann
J I
JI
McKenzie
J
J
Wilson
N C
NC
Russell
D G
DG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D004041:Dietary Fats; D002784:Cholesterol