Plasma cholesterol levels of 6585 children in the United States: Results of the Know Your Body screening in five states

Medical and public health recommendations regarding detection and treatment of hyperlipidemia in children have generally been based on two principal epidemiologic studies: the Lipids Research Clinic Population Study (1972 to 1976) and the Bogalusa Heart Study (1973 to 1974). The present study was initiated to further describe the distribution of plasma cholesterol levels in a multiracial sample of American children. Between 1984 and 1988, the total cholesterol levels of 6585 children from 22 schools were measured as part of the Know Your Body School Health Program. For the entire popultion, ages 5 to 18 years, the mean total cholesterol concentration was 166.4 mg/dL. Total cholesterol was significantly greater in girls (168 mg/dL) than in boys (165 mg/dL), although sex differences were inconsistent across race/ethnicity. The mean value for blacks, 173 mg/dL, and Hispanics, 168 mg/dL, wa shigher than for Asians, 165 mg/dL, and whites, 163 mg/dL. Across race/ethnicity, values tended to peak between ages 8 and 10 years for girls and approximately 10 years of age for boys. These values are slightly higher than those reported in the Lipids Research Clinics and Bogalusa studies. Public health implications of these findings are discussed.