THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DIETARY FACTORS AND SERUM-LIPIDS IN CHINESE URBAN AND RURAL POPULATIONS OF BEIJING AND GUANGZHOU

Background. Serum cholesterol (TC) levels and coronary heart disease ( CHD) are lower in China than in western countries. This report examine s the role of diet in determining TC. Methods. Data were collected as part of a cross-sectional study of 10 000 men and women, 35-54 years o ld, conducted in 1983-1984 in four areas in China. A 10% subsample was surveyed for eating patterns and measurement of blood lipids. Six one -day dietary recalls were collected on each participant. Results. Mean daily intake of energy from fat was less than 30%. Mean Keys scores r anged from 20.4 to 32.6. In multivariable regression analysis controll ing for age, body mass index (BMI), and alcohol, Keys score was statis tically associated with serum TC. A 10-unit greater Keys score was ass ociated with 6.3 mg/dl higher TC and 4.0 mg/dl higher low density lipo protein cholesterol. Conclusions. We conclude that in China the relati on of dietary factors to serum lipids is similar to that in population s having high serum TC levels.