Comparisons of Food Consumption and Food Sources of Nutrients in the Diets of Postmenopausal Women with Normocholesterolemia and Hypercholesterolemia in Seoul, Korea

Women have a greater incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) after menopause. This relates to hormone imbalance-induced changes in known CHD risk factors, especially hyperlipidemia. The purpose of this study was to explore d1e differences in food consumption and food sources of nutrients in the Korean diet between postmenopausal women aged 50-74 years with normocholesterolemia(NC) and those with hypercholesterolemia(HC). Each subject was either classified as part of the NC group (n=39, serum total cholesterol con. ＜200 mg/$dl$) or the HC group (n=31, serum total cholesterol con. $\geq$240 mg/dl) based on the Guideline for Korean Hyperlipidemia.l Diet was assessed through a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Consumption of foods such as biscuits and/or crackers, squid and eggs was significantly (p＜0.05) higher in the HC group than in the NC group. On the other hand, consumption of potatoes/starches and carrots was significantly (p＜0.05) lower in the HC group than in the NC group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the consumption of legumes and legume products containing phytoestrogen and we could not find a relationship between legumes and legume products and serum cholesterol levels. Consumption of green tea tended to be lower in the HC group than in the NC group. Major sources of cholesterol, cholesterol-saturated index and vitamin A in the diets of the HC group consisted of foods high in cholesterol. Our results confirm that postmenopausal women with hypercholesterolemia in Korea tend to consume cholesterol-rich foods and dishes.