Predicting adult cholesterol levels from measurements in childhood and adolescence: the Muscatine Study.

2,446 subjects initially examined at ages eight to 18 years were reexamined as young adults at ages 20-25 years or 26-30 years. Measurements of cholesterol, height, weight, and triceps skinfold thickness were obtained during childhood. Lipids, lipoprotein fractions, family history as well as medication, alcohol, and tobacco use were determined during the adult examination. Elevated levels of cholesterol during childhood were associated with elevation in adult life. On average, of children found to have cholesterol levels greater than or equal to the 90th percentile for their age and gender, on a single measurement 43% remained above the 90th percentile, 62% remained above the 75th percentile, and 81% remained above the 50th percentile. Obesity acquired in adolescence and the young adult years, oral contraceptive use, and cigarette smoking had deleterious effects upon adult cholesterol levels and lipoprotein fractions.