Possible effects of diets on serum lipids, fatty acids and blood pressure levels in male and female Japanese university students.

OBJECTIVES: To prepare a dietary recommendation for young Japanese for the prevention of coronary heart disease, we surveyed the dietary habits, serum lipids, serum fatty acids and blood pressure levels among male and female students.
METHODS: In this study, 175 male and 246 female university students were interviewed for the frequency of consumption of selected food items and the habit of skipping breakfast. Serum fatty acids were analyzed by gas chromatography.
RESULTS: The frequencies of consumption of dishes cooked with oil and intake of vegetables were higher in female students than in male students. Serum n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids were slightly higher in females students than in male students while that of serum n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids was 6.4% in both sexes. For both males and females, those who skipped breakfast at least once a week were less likely to consume vegetables and fruits than those who did not. Female students who skipped breakfast were also less likely to consume fish and had lower composition of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid and higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels than males. For female, the intake of milk and dairy products correlated inversely with systolic blood pressure levels and the intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids correlated inversely with diastolic blood pressure levels. For males, the intake of fruits and consumption of dishes cooked with oil correlated inversely with systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels.
CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that increased intake of fish, milk and dairy products, fruits and vegetables from early adulthood and a regular dietary pattern are important to reduce the risk factors for coronary heart disease.