Distribution of high density lipoprotein cholesterol according to relative body weight, cigarette smoking and leisure time physical activity. The Cardiovascular Disease Study in Finnmark 1977.

The relationship between HDL cholesterol and relative body weight, cigarette smoking and leisure time physical activity were examined in 7338 healthy men and 6768 healthy women aged 20-53 years, living in Finnmark County, Northern Norway. The independent effects of the three factors were examined by an analysis of covariance. In both sexes a strong and almost linear negative association was observed between relative body weight and HDL cholesterol. HDL cholesterol was lower in smokers than in non-smokers, the difference being more pronounced in females than in males. A weak but significant positive association was observed between leisure time physical activity and HDL cholesterol in both sexes.