Some factors influencing serum lipid levels in a working population

Life-style variables (perceived fitness, excess body mass, percent fat, lean mass, predicted maximum oxygen intake, cigarette consumption, alcohol consumption, use of contraceptive medication) have been related to the lipid profile (serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol) in a sizeable volunteer population of Toronto office-workers. Multivariate analysis demonstrates an independent positive association of age with total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, and (in women only) a weak negative association with triglycerides. Much of the fitness effect is related to body fat, which is positively correlated with triglycerides and (in the men only) with total and LDL cholesterol, but is negatively related to HDL cholesterol. However, maximum oxygen intake per unit of body mass shows a small independent association with triglycerides, total cholesterol (women only) and LDL cholesterol. Cigarette smoking bears an independent relationship to triglycerides, HDL cholesterol and (in women only) LDL cholesterol. Alcohol consumption is independently related to high values for total and LDL cholesterol, but is also related to high HDL cholesterol readings. While multivariate analysis allows for the inter-relationship of smoking habits, alcohol consumption, and the various fitness measurements, it cannot prove cause and effect. Nevertheless, the potential improvement of lipid profile associated with (i) abstinence from cigarettes, (ii) a 4% reduction of body fat, and (iii) avoidance of contraceptive medication is sufficient to warrant experimental trial of such a change in life-style.