title: A study on blood lipid profiles, aluminum and mercury levels in college students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  College students are in a period of transition from adolescence to adulthood, in which proper dietary habits and balanced nutritional intake are very important. However, improper dietary habits and lifestyles can bring several health problems. This study was performed to investigate blood lipid profiles, blood aluminum and mercury in college students and the relationships among them.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects were 80 college students (43 males and 37 females) in Gyeonggi-do. General characteristics, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, blood lipids, SGOT, SGPT, and blood aluminum and mercury of the subjects were measured and analyzed, and their relationship was studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The BMI was significantly higher in males, 23.69 ± 3.20 kg/m(2), than in females, 20.38 ± 2.37 kg/m(2) (P < 0.001). The blood pressure was significantly higher in males with 128.93 ± 12.92 mmHg systolic pressure and 77.14 ± 10.31 mmHg diastolic pressure compared to females with 109.78 ± 11.97 mmHg and 65.95 ± 6.92 mmHg, respectively (P < 0.001). HDL cholesterol in males, 61.88 ± 13.06 mg/dl, was lower than 64.73 ± 12.16 mg/dl in females, but other blood lipid levels were higher in males. Blood aluminum was significantly higher in males, 9.12 ± 2.11 µg/L, than in females, 8.03 ± 2.14 µg/L (P < 0.05), and blood mercury was higher in males, 3.08 ± 1.55 µg/L, than in females, 2.64 ± 1.49 µg/L. The blood lipids showed positive correlation with obesity and blood pressure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The degree of obesity, blood pressure, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol were higher in males, suggesting possible association with chronic disease incidence such as hyperlipidemia and hypertension. Thus, it is considered that a systematic health education is needed for college students, especially for males.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition Team, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Gyeonggi 14584, Korea.; Department of Food and Nutrition, Myongji University, 116, Myongji-ro, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi 17058, Korea.
authors.forename: Eunim
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutrition, Joongbu University, Chungnam 32713, Korea.
authors.forename: Whajin
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hyun
authors.affiliation: Columbia University, 116th Street and Broadway, New York, NY10027, USA.
authors.forename: Yoona
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ro
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutrition, Daejin University, Gyeonggi 11159, Korea.
authors.forename: Hongmie
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutrition, Myongji University, 116, Myongji-ro, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi 17058, Korea.; Graduate School of Education, Myongji University, Seoul 03674, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyunghee
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Song
keywords: Blood lipid; aluminum; college student; mercury