Weight change and change of total cholesterol and high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol. Results of the MONICA Augsburg cohort study.

Data from the MONICA (Monitoring Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease) Augsburg cohort were used to study the effect of weight change on changes in serum levels of total and high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol. Weight gain was associated with rising levels of total cholesterol and falling levels of high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol in both sexes, more so in men than in women. Moreover, these relationships weakened with advancing age in women, but not in men. The results support the view that weight loss may more favorably affect lipid levels in men than in women, particularly at older ages.