THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN DIETARY PATTERNS AND CARDIO VASCULAR-DISEASE RISK INDICATORS IN HEALTHY YOUNGSTERS - RESULTS COVERING 15 YEARS OF LONGITUDINAL DEVELOPMENT

Objective: To examine longitudinal relationships between nutrition and risk indicators for cardio vascular diseases (CVD) during adolescence and young adulthood. Design: A longitudinal study over fifteen years. Subjects: 98 females and 84 males, from 13 to 27 years. Methods: By m eans of six interviews dietary patterns were determined. Blood samples were analyzed for serum concentration of total cholesterol (TC), and high-density-lipoprotein (HDL), bloodpressure, body fat and maximal ae robic power (VO(2)max) were determined. The longitudinal relations wer e analyzed with generalized estimation equations (GEE), a statistical technique in which relations at different time-points are tested simul taneously. Results: Compared to Dutch recommendations six out of seven macro nutrients appear to be unfavorable with respect to CVD. Borderl ine or high CVD risk values are apparent at 27 y in more than 25% of t he subjects with respect to percentage body fat and serum total choles terol in both sexes. In males 40% or more show borderline hypertension . The 'univariate' longitudinal analyses showed significantly positive relations: (1) between the intake of animal protein, saturated fat (S FA), cholesterol (Chol) and TC, and HDL; (2) between total energy inta ke (EN) and systolic blood pressure, and VO(2)max. Significantly negat ive associations were found: (1) between EN, poly-unsaturated fat (PUF A) and TC concentrations; (2) between EN and sum of four skinfolds (SS F). Conclusions: With increasing age, over a period of 15 y in both se xes the SFA and Chol intake relate significantly to the development of a negative CVD risk profile. The intake of PUFA relates positive to a CVD risk profile. The significantly negative relation between EN inta ke and body fat (SSF) is partly explained by the relation between EN a nd VO(2)max.