Independence of serum lipid levels and dietary habits. The Tecumseh study
A. B. Nichols, C. Ravenscroft, D. E. Lamphiear and L. D. Ostrander Jr
Serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels were correlated with dietary
habits of 4,057 adult participants in a prospective epidemiologic survey of
cardiovascular disease in Tecumseh, Mich. Frequency of consumption of 110
different food items was determined for each participant and average weekly
consumption rates of foods high in fat, sugar, starch, and alcohol content
were calculated. Frequency of consumption of these nutrients was then
correlated with serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels of individual
subjects. Serum cholesterol and triglyceride values were not positively
correlated with selection of dietary constituents. Positive correlations
between serum lipid levels and adiposity were statistically significant.
These findings suggest that serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels among
Americans are more dependent on degree of adiposity than on frequency of
consumption of fat, sugar, starch, or alcohol.
