Serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in African schoolchildren living near or very far from school.

In African populations, coronary heart disease (CHD) is rare, Serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, negatively associated with CHD, understandably are significantly higher in African children and adults, compared with their White Counterparts. On enquiring into the role of physical activity, observations at 3 rural African schools showed that children of 10-12 years, who regularly walked long distances attending school (average about 10 km daily) had only slightly (although significantly) elevated mean HDL cholesterol levels, compared with groups who lived near by. It is considered that the diet of pupils (inter alia, having low fat and high fibre contents), associated with the high level of activity which prevails generally, share responsibility for their high HDL cholesterol levels.