Diet and serum lipids: changes over socio-economic transition period in Lithuanian rural population

Abstract

BackgroundSince regaining of independence in 1990, Lithuania has been undergoing substantial political, economic, and social changes that affected the nutrition habits of population. Dietary changes might have impact on the trends of dietary related risk factors of chronic diseases. The aim of the study was to compare trends in diet and lipid profile of Lithuanian rural population aged 25-64 during two decades of transition period (1987-2007).MethodsFour cross-sectional surveys were conducted within the framework of the Countrywide Integrated Noncommunicable Diseases Intervention Programme in five regions of Lithuania in 1987, 1993, 1999, and 2007. For each survey, a stratified independent random sample was drawn from the lists of the inhabitants aged 25-64 years registered at the primary health care centres. Altogether 3127 men and 3857 women participated in the surveys. 24-hour recall was used for evaluation of dietary habits. Serum lipids were determined using enzymatic methods. Predicted changes of serum cholesterol were calculated by Keys equation.ResultsThe percentage of energy from saturated fatty acids has decreased from 18.0 to 15.1 among men and from 17.6 to 14.8 among women over the period of 20 years. The average share of polyunsaturated fatty acids in total energy intake increased from 5.3% to 7.1% among men and from 4.9% to 7.3% among women. The mean intake of cholesterol declined among women. Favourable trends in fatty acids composition were caused by increased use of vegetable oil for cooking and replacement of butter spread with margarine. Since 1987, the mean value of total cholesterol has decreased by 0.6 mmol/l. Total dietary effect accounts for a 0.26 mmol/l (43.3%) decline in serum cholesterol among men and 0.31 mmol/l (50.8%) decline among women.ConclusionsImprovement in the quality of fat intake was observed in Lithuanian rural population over two decades of transition period. Positive changes in diet, mainly reduction in saturated fatty acids intake, contributed to decline in serum cholesterol level. Strengthening of favourable trends in nutrition habits in Lithuanian population should be one of the most important strategies of cardiovascular diseases prevention.

Association between APOE, SCARB1, PPARα polymorphisms and serum lipids in a population of Lithuanian adults

“…Thus, a high frequency of the ϵ2 allele would appear to predict a favorable lipid profile in the Lithuanian population. Moreover, positive changes in nutritional habits of Lithuanians occurred over the last decades of the post-communist transition period and has contributed to the decrease in mean TC and LDL-C levels [3,4]. However, the prevalence of other cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as hypertension, smoking and obesity, remains very high in Lithuania [29].…”

“…The use of animal fats has declined, while the use of vegetable fats and the frequency of consumption of fresh vegetables have increased [3]. Consequently, the proportion of saturated fatty acids in the daily energy intake has decreased and the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids has increased [4]. Positive changes in diet have contributed to a decline in serum cholesterol levels; however, the mortality rate from CHD has remained high.…”

Association of the SPTLC3 rs364585 polymorphism and serum lipid profiles in two Chinese ethnic groups

“…The individuals with TC > 5.17 mmol/L and/or TG > 1.70 mmol/L were defined as hyperlipidemic [33, 34]. Hypertension was diagnosed according to the criteria of 1999 World Health Organization-International Society of Hypertension Guide lines for the management of hypertension [35, 36].…”

Twenty years trends in mortality rates from stroke in Klaipeda

“…Total dietary decline in serum cholesterol was 0.26 mmol/L (43.3%) among men and 0.31 mmol/L (50.8%) among women (Ramazauskiene et al. 2011). Overall, slowdown in the decline of stroke mortality, especially in the younger age group in the second decade of our survey, can be partly explained by diminishing returns on previously successful interventions as well as by lack of effective management of risk factors (Backholer et al.…”