Serum lipid peroxides, lipids, blood pressure, body mass index, and di
etary intake in 190 urban men were compared with 190 age-matched rural
men. Significantly higher levels of lipid peroxides, serum cholestero
l, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides were seen in
urban men, compared with rural men. In rural men, serum lipid peroxid
es were related negatively to age; the same was observed in the 70+ y
age group in the urban population. All the lipid constituents were rel
ated positively to age in both populations. There were statistically s
ignificant correlations between lipid peroxides and serum cholesterol
and triglycerides in the urban men. The marked elevation of lipid pero
xides and lipids in urban men may be the result of urbanization, inclu
ding exposure to environmental pollutants.