Nutr Res Pract.  2016 Aug;10(4):442-447. 10.4162/nrp.2016.10.4.442.

A study on blood lipid profiles, aluminum and mercury levels in college students

• Jung E
• Hyun W
• Ro Y
• Lee H
• Song K

• KMID: 2390148
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4162/nrp.2016.10.4.442

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 ± 3.20 kg/m², than in females, 20.38 ± 2.37 kg/m² (P < 0.001). The blood pressure was significantly higher in males with 128.93 ± 12.92 mmHg systolic pressure and 77.14 ± 10.31 mmHg diastolic pressure compared to females with 109.78 ± 11.97 mmHg and 65.95 ± 6.92 mmHg, respectively (P < 0.001). HDL cholesterol in males, 61.88 ± 13.06 mg/dl, was lower than 64.73 ± 12.16 mg/dl in females, but other blood lipid levels were higher in males. Blood aluminum was significantly higher in males, 9.12 ± 2.11 µg/L, than in females, 8.03 ± 2.14 µg/L (P < 0.05), and blood mercury was higher in males, 3.08 ± 1.55 µg/L, than in females, 2.64 ± 1.49 µg/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.

Keyword

Blood lipid; aluminum; mercury; college student

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Alanine Transaminase
Aluminum*
Aspartate Aminotransferases
Blood Pressure
Cholesterol, HDL
Cholesterol, LDL
Chronic Disease
Female
Food Habits
Gyeonggi-do
Health Education
Humans
Hyperlipidemias
Hypertension
Incidence
Life Style
Male
Obesity
Triglycerides
Alanine Transaminase
Aluminum
Aspartate Aminotransferases
Cholesterol, HDL
Cholesterol, LDL
Triglycerides

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