RESUMEN
During the year 1982 serum cholesterol and apolipoprotein A1 and B levels were measured in 1319 male subjects (mean age 20 years) from different provinces of Belgium. The serum cholesterol level and the apolipoprotein B level were distinctly lower in Dutch-speaking than in French-speaking subjects. An increase of 1.1 mg% of total cholesterol was found per kg per consumer unit per year of butter consumed and a decrease of 1.1 mg% per kg per consumer unit per year of margarine consumed. The higher cholesterol value in French-speaking subjects correlated significantly with a high regional mortality from all causes and from ischaemic heart disease in male subjects of the 45-64-year age group. A 10 mg% difference in serum cholesterol at the age of 20 years corresponds with an increase in mortality from all causes of 20% and from ischaemic heart disease of 21%. A significant difference in log GGT (gamma glutamyl-transpeptidase)--possibly due to differences in alcohol consumption--was observed between the provinces of Belgium. The difference in cholesterol and apolipoprotein B level remained significant after adjustment for log GGT.
Asunto(s)
Lípidos/sangre , Mortalidad , Adulto , Apolipoproteínas A/sangre , Apolipoproteínas B/sangre , Bélgica , Colesterol/sangre , HDL-Colesterol/sangre , Enfermedad Coronaria/mortalidad , Grasas de la Dieta/administración & dosificación , Conducta Alimentaria , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Análisis de Regresión , gamma-Glutamiltransferasa/sangreRESUMEN
Belgians have been gradually shifting from a low ratio of polyunsaturated/saturated fat in their food to a higher one with lower total fat and cholesterol. This has occurred predominantly in the north, where the most obvious change is a decrease in butter consumption and an increase in margarine consumption. The northerners have a four to five times smaller intake of butter than the southerners and nearly double the intake of margarine. Evidence gathered over the past ten years reveals in the north a decreasing serum-cholesterol and in the south a significantly higher serum-cholesterol, associated with higher coronary morbidity and mortality. Life expectancy of males in the north is 2-4 years higher at birth and 2-2 years higher at the age of 30. It is concluded that the food habits of a population can be changed, with great benefit.