Determinants of total high density lipoprotein cholesterol and high density lipoprotein subfraction levels among Hispanic and non-Hispanic white persons with normal glucose tolerance: the San Luis Valley Diabetes Study.

Determinants of total high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and HDL subfractions were assessed in Hispanic and non-Hispanic white persons (n = 932), aged 20-74 years, in the San Luis Valley, Colorado. Using multiple regression, BMI was negatively associated with HDL-C, HDL2-C, and HDL3-C in men and HDL-C and HDL3-C in women. Among females, current smokers had lower HDL-C and subfractions. Women on beta-blockers had lower HDL3-C levels. For both sexes, a positive association was observed between age and HDL-C and subfractions and physical activity with HDL-C and HDL3-C. Drinking alcohol (> or = 50 g/week) was associated with higher HDL-C and HDL3-C in both sexes and HDL2-C in women. The positive association of age and negative associations of the subscapular/triceps ratio and fasting insulin had consistent relationships with HDL-C, HDL2-C, and HDL3-C in men and women. Ethnicity was not significantly associated with HDL-C or subfractions after controlling for body fat distribution or fasting insulin.