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Serum cholesterol levels in selected air force cadets compared with levels in the West Point study
Insights
Serum cholesterol levels in U.S. Air Force Academy cadets remained stable, unlike West Point cadets, suggesting different risk factors for heart disease. Dietary fat changes may explain this cardiovascular health difference.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Military Medicine
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- A prior study observed rising cholesterol in U.S. Military Academy cadets (1952-1956), indicating potential long-term heart disease risk.
- This prompted an investigation into whether similar patterns occur in other military academies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if the observed cholesterol changes in West Point cadets are typical for military academy cadets.
- To compare cardiovascular risk factor trends between U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Air Force Academy cadets.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study monitored randomly selected U.S. Air Force Academy cadets over 4 years (starting 1972).
- Serum cholesterol levels and body fat percentage were measured throughout the study period.
Main Results:
- Mean serum cholesterol levels remained consistent from the beginning to the end of the study, with intermediate values generally lower.
- Average body fat percentage remained low, not exceeding 12.6% and stabilizing around 12% in the latter years.
Conclusions:
- The stable serum cholesterol in Air Force Academy cadets contrasts with earlier findings in West Point cadets.
- Differences in dietary fat intake are proposed as a primary explanation, with social environment changes as a possible secondary factor.
- Exercise and stress levels were deemed unlikely causes for the observed cardiovascular differences.
Abstract:
In the USAFSAM Cardiovascular Disease Followup Study, the surprising rise in average cholesterol levels in West Point cadets during the 6 years following their entry into the U.S. Military Academy in 1952 implied a significant increase in risk of heart disease in later years. To ascertain whether that pattern of change suggested increased risk is characteristic of cadets at military academies, a similar study on a smaller scale was conducted on U.S. Air Force Academy cadets beginning in 1972. Randomly selected cadets were monitored throughout their 4-year training at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Mean levels of serum cholesterol were similar at the beginning and end of the study; values between those times were generally somewhat lower. Average body fat never exceeded 12.6%; the average remained close to 12% during the last 3 years. Possible reasons for the differences between the pattern of change in serum cholesterol in the West Point cadets in earlier years (1952-56) and in the U.S. Air Force Academy cadets are discussed. Differences in exercise or stress levels were ruled out as likely explanations. Changes in dietary fat intakes may account for the differences, while unidentified changes in the social environment are possible contributory factors.