title: Body mass index and lipid levels in children from Ankara, Turkey versus Bogalusa, Louisiana.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Turkish Heart Study demonstrated that low high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels are prevalent among Turkish adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  We compared body mass index and lipid levels of Turkish children (n = 1525, ages 10-17) with the bi-racial community of Bogalusa Heart Study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Turkish children have lower body mass index than American children (19.0 +/- 3 kg/m(2) for Turkish girls, 20.2 +/- 4 for White American girls, 20.9 +/- 5 for African American girls; and 18.9 +/- 3 kg/m(2) for Turkish boys, 20.2 +/- 4 for White American boys, 20.0 +/- 4 for African American boys, P < 0.01). Turkish children have higher triglyceride and lower high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels despite their lower body mass index. High density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (mmol/L) are 1.3 +/- 0.3 for Turkish girls and boys versus 1.4 +/- 0.5 for White American girls and boys, versus 1.6 +/- 0.5 and 1.7 +/- 0.5 for African American girls and boys, respectively (P < 0.01). Triglyceride levels (mmol/L) are 1.0 +/- 0.6 and 1.0 +/- 0.5 for Turkish girls and boys versus 0.9 +/- 0.5 and 0.8 +/- 0.5 for White American; and 0.7 +/- 0.3 for African American girls and boys, respectively (P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our observation of a lower HDL-C and a higher TG level in Turkish children (despite their lower BMI) is of interest and may indicate that unique characteristics in lipoprotein levels of Turkish adults start early in life.
authors.affiliation: Marmara University Medical School, Department of Cardiology, Tophanelioglu Cad 13/15, 34660 Altunizade Istanbul, Turkey. magirbasli@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Agirbasli
authors.forename: Gonenc
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ciliv
authors.forename: Servet
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cakir
authors.forename: Sathanur
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Srinivasan
authors.forename: Gerald S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Berenson
authors.forename: Sencan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ozme
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D008145:Louisiana; D008297:Male; D014421:Turkey
chemical_list: D008074:Lipoproteins