Serum lipids, body mass, and exercise levels in Auckland, 1982

The level of coronary heart disease risk factors was examined in a random sample of 1598 people aged 35 to 64 years in Auckland during 1982. Data on serum total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol, height, weight, body mass index and exercise patterns, are reported. The mean serum cholesterol was 5.71 mmol/l in men and 5.81 mmol/l in women with 22% and 24% of men and women respectively having a serum cholesterol of 6.5 mmol/l or more. Total cholesterol levels were lower than in previous New Zealand studies at all ages and in both sexes. Approximately 54% of men and 48% of women in the sample were overweight or obese and only 37% of men and 30% of women reported taking regular exercise each week. These data indicate that there is considerable potential for the primary prevention of coronary heart disease in New Zealand.