Risk factors of arteriosclerosis in Japanese children

Total cholesterol level was measured in 8,303 children and youth in Tokyo. Age ranged from 6 to 18 years. The change of total cholesterol level relates to sex and age, and girls showed higher level than boys. Not a small number of children revealed elevated total cholesterol level but some children showed very low level. HDL-cholesterol was determined and prevalence of ischemic coronary heart disease risk factors was studied. The elevation of total cholesterol level in senior high school students was caused by either increase of HDL-cholesterol or increased total minus HDL-cholesterol fraction. High school boys with obesity were found to have higher serum total cholesterol level accompanied by low HDL-cholesterol level. High school boys of parents with myocardial infarction were found to have higher total cholesterol level. Majority of Japanese senior high school students were found to have one or more coronary heart disease risk factors. The necessity of prevention for ischemic coronary heart disease starting from childhood in Japan is emphasized.