Declining levels of total serum cholesterol in adult New Zealanders

Aim. To measure the average serum concentration of total cholesterol and hi gh density lipoprotein cholesterol in a representative sample of New Zealan ders. Methods. Serum total and high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were m easured in a representative sample of 1412 men and 1741 women aged 15 years or older who participated in the National Nutrition Survey (1997) of New Z ealanders. Results. The average serum total cholesterol concentration in men was the s ame as in women (5.7 mmol/L); however, younger women (44 years and under) t ended to have lower levels and older women (55 years and over) higher level s of total cholesterol than men. Women in all age groups had higher average levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (1.4 mmol/L) than men (1.2 mmol/L). Ethnic differences were apparent with Maori men having significant ly higher average levels of total cholesterol than their New Zealand Europe an counterparts. Conclusions. Mean serum total cholesterol concentration in women has declin ed by 0.3 mmol/L from 6.0 mmol/L (p<0.05) since the previous representative survey of New Zealanders (Life in New Zealand Survey, 1989), but by only 0 .1 mmol/L in men, despite a similar reduction amongst men and women in the proportion of dietary energy derived from total and,saturated fat. It is po ssible that weight gain in men and women during the last nine years is havi ng a differential effect on serum cholesterol concentrations.