BLOOD-LIPIDS AND LIPOPROTEINS IN MARRIED AND FORMERLY MARRIED-WOMEN

As part of the Cardiovascular Occupational Risk Factors Determination in Israel (CORDIS) study, the association between marriage termination (divorce/separation or widowhood) and blood lipids and lipoproteins w as examined in a sample of 351 healthy women employed in industry. Eig hty-seven former spouses were each matched with three married women (N = 264) for age, number of children, smoking status, and type of job ( blue/white collar), After controlling for age, number of cigarettes pe r day, leisure sport participation, and daily coffee consumption, form er spouses in the younger women group (younger than 45 years) had sign ificantly higher total cholesterol, total cholesterol ratio, and LDL l evels than married women. Among older women (greater than or equal to 45 years), there were no significant differences. Significantly more y ounger former spouses had abnormally high cholesterol and LDL levels. In both age groups, former spouses smoked more cigarettes daily, These differences between the marital status groups may be explained by str ess effects and changes in primary prevention practices. If replicated , such findings would delineate a population in need of intervention t o reduce disease risk.