PLASMA-CHOLESTEROL AND OTHER CARDIAC RISK-FACTORS ADOLESCENT GIRLS

The aim was to examine the effects of smoking, physical activity, and body mass on total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholestero l (HDL-C) in adolescent schoolgirls in Sydney, Australia. Body mass in dex (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) were determined in 144 girls ag ed 15 to 18 years. Total cholesterol (TC) and HDL-C were estimated on fingerprick blood and behavioural variables assessed by questionnaire. Prevalence of overweight (>90th centile for BMI) was less in Australi an adolescents than reported from the USA. Smokers had lower total cho lesterol than non-smokers; this was partly explained by a lower HDL-C in the smokers. Physical activity was associated with a less atherogen ic TC/HDL-C ratio. Girls with BMI >90th centile had higher mean TC/HDL -C and apoprotein B than the group as a whole but those >90th centile for WHR did not.