Nutrition Research and Practice

The Korean Nutrition Society (한국영양학회)
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A study on blood lipid profiles, aluminum and mercury levels in college students

  • Jung, Eunim (Department of Nutrition Team, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital) ;
  • Hyun, Whajin (Department of Food and Nutrition, Joongbu University) ;
  • Ro, Yoona (Columbia University) ;
  • Lee, Hongmie (Department of Food and Nutrition, Daejin University) ;
  • Song, Kyunghee (Department of Food and Nutrition, Myongji University)
  • Received : 2015.12.08
  • Accepted : 2016.02.23
  • Published : 2016.08.01
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Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: College students are in a period of transition from adolescence to adulthood, in which proper dietary habits and balanced nutritional intake are very important. However, improper dietary habits and lifestyles can bring several health problems. This study was performed to investigate blood lipid profiles, blood aluminum and mercury in college students and the relationships among them. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The subjects were 80 college students (43 males and 37 females) in Gyeonggi-do. General characteristics, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, blood lipids, SGOT, SGPT, and blood aluminum and mercury of the subjects were measured and analyzed, and their relationship was studied. RESULTS: The BMI was significantly higher in males, $23.69{\pm}3.20kg/m^2$, than in females, $20.38{\pm}2.37kg/m^2$ (P < 0.001). The blood pressure was significantly higher in males with $128.93{\pm}12.92mmHg$ systolic pressure and $77.14{\pm}10.31mmHg$ diastolic pressure compared to females with $109.78{\pm}11.97mmHg$ and $65.95{\pm}6.92mmHg$, respectively (P < 0.001). HDL cholesterol in males, $61.88{\pm}13.06mg/dl$, was lower than $64.73{\pm}12.16mg/dl$ in females, but other blood lipid levels were higher in males. Blood aluminum was significantly higher in males, $9.12{\pm}2.11{\mu}g/L$, than in females, $8.03{\pm}2.14{\mu}g/L$ (P < 0.05), and blood mercury was higher in males, $3.08{\pm}1.55{\mu}g/L$, than in females, $2.64{\pm}1.49{\mu}g/L$. The blood lipids showed positive correlation with obesity and blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of obesity, blood pressure, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol were higher in males, suggesting possible association with chronic disease incidence such as hyperlipidemia and hypertension. Thus, it is considered that a systematic health education is needed for college students, especially for males.

Keywords

References

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