Lipid and lipoprotein levels of Newfoundland school children.

Serum concentrations of total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and VLDL cholesterol were measured in 1,033 boys and girls age 8-10 years and 14-16 years who were living in two geographically distinct areas on the East and West coast of Newfoundland. The respondents enrolled to this study were school children attending four schools selected at random from all schools in the area. Ninety percent of the invited students participated in the study. The Newfoundland children had higher total cholesterol levels than those reported for children matched for age, sex and race living in the United States. However, their LDL cholesterol levels were found to be similar to those observed in US samples. It was concluded, therefore, that the higher total cholesterol levels of the Newfoundland children were due to their higher HDL cholesterol levels.