THE INCREASED FREQUENCY OF HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA IN SOUTHERN ITALY IS INDUCED ONLY BY CHANGING DIET QUALITY

Background. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate cholesterolemia a nd triglyceridemia in relation to BMI, alimentary habits and physical activity. Design, We compare our epidemiological data with those obtai ned in other studies previously carried out in Campania: ''CNR-ATS-RF2 -OB43''. Results. Data show an increase of these risk factors in South ern Italy from 1978 to 1989, In males, between 20 and 59 years the pre valence of hypercholesterolemia increases from 15.9% in 1978-1979 (CNR -RF2) to 17.8% in 1983-1984 (ATS-OB43), and 20.6% in our own data (198 8-1990), The pattern is similar for females: 14.4% (1978-1979), 16.7% (1983-1984), and 18.6% (1988-1990). In males hypertriglyceridemia incr eases from 17% in 1978-1979, to 21.3% in 1983-1984 and 36.2% in 1988-1 990, In females from 9.8% to 12.4% and 18% respectively. Conclusions. This reality can be explained through the gradual changing of alimenta ry habits (high consumption of saturated fats and very little intake o f vegetal fibres) and by reduced physical activity that contributes to the progressive BMI increase.