Coronary risk in West Sumatran men

Lifestyle, food habits and blood lipid profiles were studied in two areas - one urban and one rural of West Sumatra, Indonesia, where coconut oil is commonly consumed. Subjects were 102 randomly selected healthy adult men aged 25 to 39 years. Variables considered were socioeconomic level, smoking habits, alcohol and coffee consumption, food intake, indices for obesity, and blood lipid profiles. Urban incomes were higher than in rural areas. The prevalence of cigarette-smoking was 75% in urban and 80% in rural areas. Alcohol consumption was higher in urban (31%) than rural areas (4%). Coffee was used by 52% of urban and 38% of rural men. However, quantities of alcohol and coffee consumed were small. Average energy intakes were 1915 kcal (456 kJ) in the urban and 1845 kcal (439kJ) in the rural areas. Protein intake was 55.8g (11.3% of total energy) in the urban and 46g (9.8%) in the rural areas. Fat intake was 45.0g (20.4%) in the urban and 33.5g (16%) in the rural areas. Dietary fat intake was significantly higher in the urban compared to the rural areas (P<0.005). The average BMI (kg/m2) was 21.2 in the urban and 20.4 in the rural areas. Mean total body fat from 4 skinfolds was 13.4 kg in the urban and 9.1 kg in the rural areas (Durnin's equation). The waist-hip ratio was 0.90 in the urban and 0.88 in the rural areas. Concentrations of total serum cholesterol and of LDL, the LDL-HDL cholesterol ratio and the atherogenic index were significantly higher in the urban compared to the rural areas (P<0.001). Serum HDL tended to increase in the urban areas. Overall, higher economic status married men generally had the higher prevalence of coronary heart disease risk factors.