Effect of food consumption pattern on total serum cholesterol level: a methodological approach.

The food intake and serum cholesterol levels of 60 healthy, middle-aged inhabitants of Kobe city were surveyed from 1974 to 1981. We attempted to estimate the serum cholesterol level in which food consumption patterns (8-factor scores) were chosen as dietary indicators. Every two years, multiple regression analysis was applied cross-sectionally for males and females, using the eight factor scores as independent variables and the total serum cholesterol level as a dependent variable. The multiple regression coefficients based on the factors were significant for both males and females. Reproducibility of the standard partial regression coefficients, beta, for females was also high. We obtained a formula for estimating serum cholesterol level based on the scores of Factor 1 (staple foods), F5 (prepared foods), F6 (traditional Japanese foods), F7 (vegetable oil) and F8 (nutrition-consciousness): multiple regression coefficient R = 0.56 and coefficient of determination R2 = 0.31. The multiple regression equation indicated that serum cholesterol level increased with the combined effects of the uniformity of the food life, westernized-type food consumption, concern for nutrition and a relatively low intake of vegetable oil.