Dietary practices and lipid intake in relation to plasma lipid profile in Hong Kong Chinese.

OBJECTIVE

To study dietary lipid intake and plasma lipid profile of the Hong Kong Chinese population as part of a territory wide survey on cardiovascular risk factors.

DESIGN

Randomised age and sex stratified survey.

SUBJECTS

1010 subjects aged 25-74 y (500 men, 510 women).

MEASUREMENTS

A food frequency method with food tables compiled for Hong Kong was used for nutrient quantitation, while a separate questionnaire was used to examine dietary practices. Plasma lipid profile was estimated using standard laboratory methods.

RESULTS

Total calorie, fat, saturated fatty acid (SFA), poly- and mono-unsaturated fatty acid (PUFA and MUFA), and cholesterol intake were higher in men; however when adjusted for caloric intake no difference was observed. Men had lower intake of PUFA as percentage of total energy had a higher Hegsted Score compared with women. Subjects consuming beans twice or more per week had lower total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentrations. Overall, the population dietary intake was close to the ideal for cardiovascular health: percentage fat not greater than 30% of the total calorie intake, saturated fat intake not greater than 10% of calories, and cholesterol less than 180 mg/1000 Kcal.

CONCLUSION

The dietary pattern for Hong Kong Chinese appear to be satisfactory with respect to cardiovascular health.