SERUM-LIPIDS IN A MEXICAN URBAN-POPULATIO N

We present the results of a population based survey in a low income ar ea of Mexico City. The equivalent of three census tracts were identifi ed and enumerated. The age eligible population (35-64 yrs) in the zone comprised 2253 subjects. A household interview was obtained in 94.8% and a physical exam with laboratory determinations was performed in 62 .6% of the total population. The total number of cases studied was 141 1 of which 565 were males and 846 were females. Age group distribution was as follows: group 1 (35-44 y) 235 men, 367 women; group 2 (45-54 y) 203 men, 289 women; and group 3 (55-64 y) 127 men, 190 women. The p hysical exam included the following measurements: height, weight, bloo d pressure measured with a random zero sphygmomanometer, subescapular and triceps skinfold measurements, and waist and hip circumferences. T he body mass index (BMI) was calculated according to a standard formul a; the subscapular/triceps ratio was used as centrality index and the waist/hip ratio was used to indicate upper/lower body fat distribution . In addition, the following blood lipids were measured following a 12 hr fast: total and HDL, LDL, VLDL-cholesterol as well as triglyceride s. The mean BMI for women was 28.9 kg/m2, for men it was 27 kg/m2. The subscapular/triceps skinfold ratio revealed a predominantly central f at distribution pattern in both sexes. The waist/hip circumference rat io showed a predominantly lower fat distribution pattern also in both sexes. The mean (+/-SD) total cholesterol (in mg/dL) were: group 1 mal es 200+/-42, females 186+/-44; group 2 males 193+/-38, females, 198+/- 43; and group 3 males 189+/-42, females 209 +/- 46. The overall mean f or HDL cholesterol in males was 30.4 mg/dL and in females 35 mg/dL. Fo r LDL the overall mean in males was 125 mg/dL and in women 128 mg/dL. The mean VLDL for men was 38 mg/dL and for women 35 mg/dL. The mean tr iglycerides for men was 203 mg/dL and for women 169 mg/dL. We conclude that in this population there is a high prevalence of obesity, especi ally in women. The lipid profile observed in this group has a high ath erogenic risk since it has relatively high total cholesterol levels as sociated with a low HDL fraction and high triglyceride level.