Can dietary factors explain differences in serum cholesterol profiles among different ethnic groups (Chinese, Malays and Indians) in Singapore?

In Singapore, there exists differences in risk factors for coronary heart d isease among the three main ethnic groups: Chinese, Malays and Indians. Thi s study aimed to investigate if differences in dietary intakes of fat, type s of fat, cholesterol, fruits, vegetables and grain foods could explain the differences in serum cholesterol levels between the ethnic groups. A total of 2408 adult subjects (61.0% Chinese, 21.4% Malays and 17.6% Indians) wer e selected systematically from the subjects who took part in the National H ealth Survey in 1998. The design of the study was based on a cross-sectiona l study. A food frequency questionnaire was used to assess intakes of energ y total fat, saturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, monounsaturated fat, chole sterol, fruits, vegetables and cereal-based foods. The Hegsted score was ca lculated. Serum total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, hig h density lipoprotein cholesterol were analysed and the ratio of total chol esterol to high density lipoprotein cholesterol was computed. The results s howed that on a group level (six sex-ethnic groups), Hegsted score, dietary intakes of fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, vegetables and grain foods wer e found to be correlated to serum cholesterol levels. However, selected die tary factors did not explain the differences in serum cholesterol levels be tween ethnic groups when multivariate regression analysis was performed, wi th adjustment far age, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, cigarette smoking, occupation, education level and physical activity level. This cross-sectio nal study shows that while selected dietary factors are correlated to serum cholesterol at a group level, they do not explain the differences in serum cholesterol levels between ethnic groups independently of age, obesity, oc cupation, educational level and other lifestyle risk factors.