Cholesterol levels and prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in Mexican children and teenagers.

In Mexico, the incidence and prevalence of coronary heart disease has increased over the past three decades and has become the leading cause of death in some areas of the country. Hypercholesterolemia (HC) is a major risk factor for coronary atherosclerosis and most developed countries currently have public health strategies that attempt to reduce the level of cholesterol. In order to learn the mean total cholesterol values and the prevalence of HC, an epidemiologic survey was carried out in a representative population sample that included men and women aged 1 to 98 years, across the nation. In this report, we present the findings in children and teenagers of both sexes (n = 34369). Considering the country as a whole, the mean serum TC was 147 +/- 35 mg/dl, the prevalence of borderline hypercholesterolemia (TC between 170 and 199 mg/dl) was 14.7% and the prevalence of high risk hypercholesterolemia (TC > or = 200 mg/dl) was 6.7%. This cross sectional study demonstrated the existence of significant geographic differences in serum TC, with mean state values ranging from 133 mg/dl in the south to 164 mg/dl in the north. The prevalences of high risk hypercholesterolemia was as high as 18.2% in Baja California Norte and as low as 2.5% in the state of Morelos. These geographic differences in total cholesterol and prevalence of hypercholesterolemia were already present at one year of age and persisted throughout childhood and adolescence.

Cholesterol levels and prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in a Mexican adult population.

In Mexico, the incidence and prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) has increased over the past three decades and has become the leading cause of death in the country. Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for coronary atherosclerosis and most developed countries currently have public health strategies that attempt to reduce the level of cholesterol. In order to determine the mean total cholesterol values and the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, an epidemiologic survey was carried out in a representative national population sample that included men and women aged 1 to 98 years. In this report, we present the findings in all individuals older than 20 years (n = 33,558). Considering the country as a whole, the mean serum total cholesterol (TC) was 4.80 +/- 1.16 mmol/l, the prevalence of borderline hypercholesterolemia (TC between 5.17 and 6.20 mmol/l) was 22.8% and the prevalence of high risk hypercholesterolemia (TC > or = 6.20 mmol/l) was 10.6%. This cross sectional study demonstrated the existence of significant geographic differences in serum TC, with mean state values ranging from 4.43 +/- 1.05 mmol/l in the south to 5.48 +/- 1.36 mmol/l in the north. The prevalence of high risk hypercholesterolemia was as high as 24.8% in Baja California Norte and as low as 4.0% in the state of Guerrero. These large differences in mean TC values are probably diet related and reinforce the need to carry out prospective and intervention trials related to CHD and its risk factors.