HAS WESTERNIZATION INFLUENCE SERUM-CHOLESTEROL LEVELS IN BOUGAINVILLIAN MALES

This study was performed to see if there was any difference in cholest erol levels between three socioeconomic groups of Bougainvillian males , each with different levels of exposure to western influences. Serum cholesterol levels were measured in 50 subjects from each of 1) villag e people leading a traditional lifestyle, 2) town dwellers exposed to western influences, and 3) mine workers who regularly dined in the com pany mess. Mean cholesterol levels were significantly higher in the mi ne workers (5.3 +/- SD 0.9 mmol/l) and the town dwellers (4.8 +/- SD 0 .8 mmol/l) than in the village people (3.7 +/- SD 1.0 mmol/l). There w as a positive correlation between serum cholesterol level and age in t wo groups, the town dwellers and the village people, even though the l atter group had a low mean cholesterol level. There was a significant correlation between body mass index (BMI) and serum cholesterol level for the entire group as well as the town dwellers and mine workers. Th e higher mean cholesterol levels in the mine workers and town dwellers than in the village people may reflect a difference in lifestyle, par ticularly in diet, between these groups. and may represent an increase d risk for ischaemic heart disease.