Cardiovascular disease risk factors and diet of Fulani pastoralists of northern Nigeria.
Am J Clin Nutr
; 74(6): 730-6, 2001 Dec.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-11722953
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The Fulani of northern Nigeria are seminomadic pastoralists who consume a diet rich in saturated fats, do not use tobacco, are lean, and have an active lifestyle. Little is known about their serum lipid profiles and corresponding risk of cardiovascular disease.OBJECTIVE:
We measured serum lipid, homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B-12 concentrations in Fulani men and women and assessed the nutrient content of their diet.DESIGN:
Blood samples from 42 men (18-64 y old) and 79 women (15-77 y old) living in the Jos Plateau of Nigeria were analyzed for cholesterol (total, HDL, and LDL), triacylglycerol, homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B-12 serum concentrations. Body composition was determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Dietary information was obtained with use of a 7-d dietary recall and a food-frequency questionnaire. Results were compared with US referent ranges.RESULTS:
The mean energy content of the Fulani diet was relatively low (men, 6980 kJ; women, 6213 kJ) and the mean protein content was high (men, 20% of energy; women, 16% of energy). Nearly one-half of energy was provided by fat, and one-half of that was derived from saturated fatty acids. The diet provided marginal to adequate amounts of vitamins B-12, B-6, and C but only one-third of the US recommended dietary allowance for folate. The mean total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and triacylglycerol concentrations of Fulani adults were within the referent ranges; the mean LDL-cholesterol concentration of Fulani adults below the range; and the mean serum homocysteine concentration of Fulani men above the range. Homocysteine and folate concentrations were inversely correlated for both men and women.CONCLUSIONS:
Despite a diet high in saturated fat, Fulani adults have a lipid profile indicative of a low risk of cardiovascular disease. This finding is likely due to their high activity level and their low total energy intake.
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Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Enfermedades Cardiovasculares
/
Dieta
/
Homocisteína
/
Lípidos
/
HDL-Colesterol
/
LDL-Colesterol
Tipo de estudio:
Etiology_studies
/
Incidence_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
País como asunto:
Africa
Idioma:
En
Año:
2001
Tipo del documento:
Article