Fruit/vegetable intake and physical activity among adults with high cholesterol

To determine whether hypercholesterolemic adults followed healthy eating and appropriate physical activity.

Using the 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, we measured ≥5 servings of fruits and vegetables/day and Healthy People 2010 recommended physical activity.

Of 363,667 adults ≥18 years, 37.3% had hypercholesterolemia. The percentages of healthy eating and physical activity were lower among those with hypercholesterolemia than among those without (23.8% vs 27.9% for healthy eating [P< 0.001], 43.1% vs 51.7% for physical activity [P<0.001]).

Hypercholesterolemic adults are less likely to practice healthy eating and to engage in physical activity than are those without hypercholesterolemia.