LIPIDS AND LIPOPROTEINS AMONG ETHIOPIAN IMMIGRANTS - COMPARISON OF OPERATIONS SOLOMON AND MOSES

Lipid and lipoprotein levels and body mass index were compared between two immigrations of Ethiopian Jews to Israel. Those who came in Opera tion Moses in 1984-85 were survivors of a long trek across hundreds of kilometers and severe food deprivation. Those who immigrated in Opera tion Solomon in 1991 were bussed from their villages to Addis Ababa wh ere public health care and food were provided and a few months later t hey were airlifted to Israel. Total cholesterol among the Operation So lomon immigrants was higher than those obtained in Operation Moses in the different age-groups studied, in both sexes. High density lipoprot ein-cholesterol was significantly higher and triglycerides lower in Op eration Solomon compared with those of Operation Moses. Body mass indi ces of the Ethiopians in both immigrations were significantly lower th an in the Israeli-born population but those who arrived in 1991 were h eavier than those in the 1984-85 Operation Moses. The data on the Ethi opian Jews who arrived in Operation Solomon were not affected by the e nvironmental hardships experienced by those who arrived in the 1984-85 Operation Moses. Therefore their exposure to a Western life-style, su ch as smoking, contraceptive use, change in diet and its effect on art eriosclerosis, diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease will be of great interest.