Serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in school-age population. Distribution, correlation, and prevalence of high...

The distribution of serum cholesterol and triglycerides, the prevalence of high values, and their correlations with other variables were studied in a sample of the school population of Caracas, Venezuela, 6 to 15 years of age (1,385 boys and 1,412 girls). The mean serum cholesterol level was 156.36 mg/dL in girls and 153.10 mg/dL in boys, remaining stable during the whole age range in both sexes. Mean serum triglyceride level was significantly higher in girls than in boys. In girls, mean serum triglyceride level increased uniformly with age between ages 6 and 15 years, whereas in boys it remained stable after age 9 years. Serum cholesterol levels above 160 mg/dL were observed in 43.9% of the girls and in 38.2% of the boys. Our findings suggest that the association of serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels with weight mainly reflects the adipose tissue component of body weight.