title: Trends in blood lipids and fat soluble vitamins in Catalonia, Spain (1992-2003).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to assess the 10-year trend in lipid and antioxidant vitamin levels in the Catalan population from 1992 to 2003.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two cross-sectional surveys were carried out in Catalonia, Spain, during 1992-93 and 2002-03. A subsample of the individuals participating in the surveys agreed to undergo a biochemical evaluation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight hundred and eighty individuals (393 males and 487 females) in the 1992-93 nutritional survey and 429 individuals (205 males and 224 females) in the 2002-03 nutritional and health survey. The subjects' ages ranged from 18 to 74 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean total cholesterol decreased from 5.3 to 5.1 mmol l(-1) (P < 0.005), and the prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia decreased, especially in males (from 23% to 10% in males from 50 to 64 years old, P < 0.05). Mean cholesterol high-density lipoprotein (HDL) values decreased in the entire sample (from 1.4 to 1.3 mmol l(-1), P < 0.001) and there was an increase in the percentage of population with low values of HDL (from 10% to 19%, P < 0.001). An increase in the percentage of the population with values of alpha-tocopherol at marginal risk levels (from 6% to 9%) and with low values of beta-carotene (from 59% to 66%) was observed. The mean values for retinol increased in both males (from 1.99 to 2.44 micrommol l(-1), P < 0.001) and females (from 1.69 to 2.29, P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although there was a decrease in the percentage of population with hypercholesterolaemia, the decrease in HDL cholesterol worsened the lipid profile of the Catalan population. The increase in the values of some antioxidant vitamins did not affect the entire population since an increase in the number of individuals with marginal values was observed.
authors.affiliation: Community Nutrition Research Centre, University of Barcelona Science Park, Baldiri Reixac 4, Torre D 4A1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain. lserra@dcc.ulpgc.es
authors.forename: Lluís
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Serra-Majem
authors.forename: M Cruz
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Pastor-Ferrer
authors.forename: Conxa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Castell
authors.forename: Lourdes
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ribas-Barba
authors.forename: Blanca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Román-Viñas
authors.forename: Laia Font
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Ribera
authors.forename: Antoni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Plasencia
authors.forename: Lluis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Salleras
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood*; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000097:blood; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; D002784:Cholesterol; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol