Studies on plasma lipids in industrial workers in central Trinidad and Tobago

We assessed the plasma lipid profiles and other cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in 187 (147 men, 47 women) apparently healthy employees of the Caribbean ISPAT industry in Trinidad and Tobago. Anthropometric indices and fasting plasma levels of total cholesterol (T-chol), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were measured. The results indicate that: there was increased body mass and relative hyperlipidemia in the population studied, these CVD risk factors (increased body mass, increased blood T-chol, TG, and LDL) were more prevalent in men than women (p < 0.05), and these parameters did not differ significantly (p < 0.05) when compared among the three ethnic groups (African and Indian descendants and mixed descents). These features suggest a greater risk of CVD in men than in women. It is likely that this observation in the industrial workers might reflect the situation in the general population especially in men. Although further confirmatory studies are necessary across societal socioeconomic strata within Trinidad, we suggest that efforts should be directed at reducing excess body weight among the workers, and providing advice on increased complex carbohydrate diet in place of saturated fat.