Twelve university women students served as experimental subjects in a study of the serum lipids and urinary estrogens of healthy nonpregnant menstruating young women, who were living under their usual conditions. The subjects maintained constant weight on their ordinary diets during the entire study period. Antecubital blood and 24-hour urine specimens were collected on certain days which represented different stages of the menstrual cycle. Quantitative analyses were made on serum total cholesterol, lipid phosphorus (phospholipids), triglycerides and total lipids. Gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of the fatty acid composition of each serum lipid component was also made. Urinary estrone, 17β- estradiol and estriol were separated and quantitatively determined by chromatographic and spectrophotometric techniques. Basic data on serum lipid levels , composition of the fatty acids of cholesterol esters, phospholipids and triglycerides and urinary estrogens were obtained on these young women . Findings included the following: 1. Mean values of serum total cholesterol, phospholipids, triglycerides and total lipids were 162, 165, 105 and 544 mg per cent, respectively. The interindividual variation was greater than intraindividual variation. The values of triglycerides were more variable than those of cholesterol and phospholipids. 2. The major fatty acids in lipid fractions were palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic. The highest amounts of fatty acid in cholesterol esters, phospholipids and triglycerides were linoleic, 51; palmitic, 28; and oleic, 33 per cent, respectively. Inter- and intra-individual variations were high. 3. The urinary estrogen values showed that 17 B-estradiol (E 2 ), was usually present in the least and estriol (E 3 ), in the greatest amounts. The mean values of E 1 (estrone), E 2 , E 3 and Et (total) were as follows: 8. 7, 4. 8, 16. 4, and 29. 9 μg per 24-hour urine. 4. The menstrual cycle did affect the urinary excretion of estrogens which showed the lowest values during the first week and then rose to a peak which occurred on or about the time of ovulation or mid-cycle. Then it fell and rose again between the third and fourth week of the cycle. The second peak was usually lower than the first one. 5. Cyclical changes of the concentrations of serum total cholesterol, phospholipids and total lipids have been observed. These changes appeared to be influenced by the estrogenic hormonal activity of the menstrual cycle. The increased excretion of urinary estrogens with a decreased (negative correlation) concentration of serum lipids was recognized. 6. Linoleic acid in cholesterol esters, as well as palmitic acid in phospholipids were found in cyclic changes. The patterns were quite similar to those of serum lipids.

Introduction: Swedish children are the healthiest in Europe. Through regular visits to well-baby clinics, infants and young children are checked and parents given information and advice on diet and other relevant matters for their child. For a long time, adequate nutrition during infancy and childhood has been focused on encouraging proper nutrition, preventing malnutrition and deficiency states, and obtaining optimal growth. Today, malnutrition and deficiency states in infants and children are rare. But other public health problems have arisen. Nutrition early in life is now thought to influence health and diseases even in adulthood. Thus promotion of a healthy diet in early life is important for preventing public health diseases such as iron deficiency, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and dental caries. Aims: This study investigates health implications of dietary intake in infancy and early childhood. More specific focus was on the associations between dietary fat intake and serum lipid levels in infants, early dietary intake, iron status, dental caries, and Body Mass Index (BMI) at 4 years of age. In addition, hereditary factors and changes over time were evaluated. Methods: Before 6 month of age, 300 healthy infants were recruited from well-baby clinics in Umeå. This thesis is based on secondary analysis of a prospective study in these infants run from 6-18 months and a follow-up of 127 of the children at 4 years. Between 6-18 months and at 4 years, dietary intakes were assessed, anthropometric measures performed, and venous blood samples taken. At 4 years, a dental examination was also performed and anthropometric data and blood samples were collected from parents and included in the study. Results: All but two infants were ever breastfed and at 6 months 73% were still breastfed. The quality of dietary fat was not within national recommendations. At 4 years, intake of vitamin D and selenium were below and intake of sugar and sweet products above the recommendations. In girls, but not boys, higher polyunsaturated fatty acid intake was associated with lower levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B levels. Iron status of the children was generally good and no child had iron deficiency anaemia (IDA). Children’s haemoglobin (Hb) levels tracked from infancy to 4 years and correlated with their mother’s Hb. Fortified infant products and meat were important sources of iron at both 12 months and 4 years. Children with frequent intake of cheese had less caries in this population with low caries prevalence. We found higher protein intake over time to be associated with higher Body Mass Index (BMI) at 4 years and high BMI at 4 years was associated with high BMI at 6 mo. There was also an association between the BMI of the child and that of its parents. Conclusions: BMI of the child and parents (especially the father), and iron status at 6 months were predictors of these variables at 4 years of age. The quality rather than the quantity of dietary fat in infancy affected serum lipid values. Even in a healthy and well-nourished group of Swedish infants and young children, quality of food and intake of nutrients are important for current and later health of the child.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Chemical Pathology)) --University of Limpopo, 2013 / Objectives The present study investigated how the serum lipids responded to a high-fat meal in black South African subjects with different APOE genotypes, a population that until recently was reported to be consuming a traditional diet of low fat and high carbohydrates. Methods Sixty students (males and females) of the University of Limpopo, Turfloop Campus were successfully genotyped using Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) and grouped into four APOE genotype groups; ε2, ε2/ε4, ε3 and ε4. Only thirty-three subjects volunteered to participate in the oral fat-tolerance test (OFTT), but two were excluded for having abnormal total cholesterol (6.05 mmol/l) and LDL cholesterol (3.12 mmol/l) so only 31 subjects were left. The numbers per group were ε2=5, ε2/ε4=8, ε3=9 and ε4=9. After an overnight fast blood was drawn for measurements of baseline serum parameters. Subjects were administered a high fat meal 30 minutes after the baseline blood sample was drawn. Blood was drawn at intervals of 20, 40, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300 and 360 minutes for measurements of postprandial serum parameter levels. Serum parameters measured were triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose and insulin. Results Mean levels of serum lipids at baseline in mmol/l were as follows; group 1[TG=0.69(0.55-0.81), TCHOL=3.10±0.29, HDL-C=1.12±0.32, LDLC= 1.67±0.28]; group 2 [TG=0.61(0.53-1.00), TCHOL=2.98±0.53, HDLC= 1.20±0.37, LDL-C=1.43±0.37]; group 3 [TG=0.67(0.28-0.86), TCHOL=2.96±0.54, HDL-C=1.22±0.30, LDL-C=1.46±0.47]; group 4 [TG=0.76(0.51-1.16), TCHOL=3.27±0.51, HDL-C=1.12±0.17, LDLC= 1.79±0.47]. There was no significant difference in the mean levels of baseline triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and ix high density lipoprotein cholesterol between the APOE groups hence no significant difference in the response to a fatty meal. Conclusions There was no significant change in serum lipid concentrations after a fatty meal in individuals with different APOE genotypes in a population that consume a traditional diet of low fat and high carbohydrates. Due to the small sample size, the results should be interpreted with caution. A larger study is recommended to ascertain the role of APOE genotypes on serum lipid response to a fatty meal in Black South African population.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Chemical Pathology)) --University of Limpopo, 2013 / Objectives: The present study investigated how the serum lipids responded to a high-fat meal in black South African subjects with different APOE genotypes, a population that until recently was reported to be consuming a traditional diet of low fat and high carbohydrates. Methods: Sixty students (males and females) of the University of Limpopo, Turfloop Campus were successfully genotyped using Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) and grouped into four APOE genotype groups; ε2, ε2/ε4, ε3 and ε4. Only thirty-three subjects volunteered to participate in the oral fat-tolerance test (OFTT), but two were excluded for having abnormal total cholesterol (6.05 mmol/l) and LDL cholesterol (3.12 mmol/l) so only 31 subjects were left. The numbers per group were ε2=5, ε2/ε4=8, ε3=9 and ε4=9. After an overnight fast blood was drawn for measurements of baseline serum parameters. Subjects were administered a high fat meal 30 minutes after the baseline blood sample was drawn. Blood was drawn at intervals of 20, 40, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300 and 360 minutes for measurements of postprandial serum parameter levels. Serum parameters measured were triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose and insulin. Results Mean levels of serum lipids at baseline in mmol/l were as follows; group 1[TG=0.69(0.55-0.81), TCHOL=3.10±0.29, HDL-C=1.12±0.32, LDLC= 1.67±0.28]; group 2 [TG=0.61(0.53-1.00), TCHOL=2.98±0.53, HDLC= 1.20±0.37, LDL-C=1.43±0.37]; group 3 [TG=0.67(0.28-0.86), TCHOL=2.96±0.54, HDL-C=1.22±0.30, LDL-C=1.46±0.47]; group 4 [TG=0.76(0.51-1.16), TCHOL=3.27±0.51, HDL-C=1.12±0.17, LDLC= 1.79±0.47]. There was no significant difference in the mean levels of baseline triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol between the APOE groups hence no significant difference in the response to a fatty meal. Conclusions There was no significant change in serum lipid concentrations after a fatty meal in individuals with different APOE genotypes in a population that consume a traditional diet of low fat and high carbohydrates. Due to the small sample size, the results should be interpreted with caution. A larger study is recommended to ascertain the role of APOE genotypes on serum lipid response to a fatty meal in Black South African population.

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Motivation The objective of the South African Avocado Growers Association (SAAGA) is to increase the demand of avocados by advertising, promoting and other means deemed fit by them. In order to promote and advertise a product, consumer research has to be done to determine the consumers' attitudes towards and beliefs concerning the product. These findings then need to be followed up by scientific studies, targeted at specific problems and target groups to yield scientific evidence. Little consumer research has been done on avocados and studies investigating the health effects of avocados are limited, with available literature only focussing on the cholesterol lowering effect of avocados. Objectives Firstly, the objective is to investigate the beliefs and attitudes of the South African consumer towards avocados and health; to determine whether gender, age group, race or living standard influence the consumers beliefs towards avocados. Secondly, the objective is to dispel the myth that avocados are fattening and should therefore be avoided in energy restricted diets; to examine the effects of avocados, a rich source of monounsaturated fatty acids, as part of an energy restricted diet on weight loss, serum lipids, fibrinogen and vascular function in overweight and obese subjects. Methods Consumer study: One thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven South African individuals, randomly selected from metropolitan areas in South Africa, participated in this survey. Data were weighed to reflect the adult metropolitan population based on gender, age and race distribution. The total population (10 695 000) was representative of both genders (5 423 000 men and 5 272 000 women) and major race groups (2 615 000 whites, 6 252 000 blacks, 1 255 000 coloureds and 573 000 Indians) from different age groups and living standards. The questionnaires were designed by a multidisciplinary team and consisted of seventeen foodrelated questionnaires, of which one questioned the beliefs regarding avocados. Trained field workers administrated questionnaires by conducting face-to-face interviews with consumers. The market research company, MARKINOR, was contracted to collect the data. Quantitative data was statistically analysed in order to generate the relevant descriptive statistics, cross tabulations and statistical tests. SUMMARY Dietary intervention study: Sixty one free-living volunteers (13 men; 48 women), with a mean (standard deviation) body mass index (BMI) of 32 (3.9) kg/m2, participated in this randomised, controlled parallel study. The subjects were paired according to gender, BMI and age and randomly assigned to one of two groups. The experimental group consumed 200 g of avocado (1 avocado) per day, substituting 30 g of other mixed dietary fats, and the control group excluded avocado from their energy restricted diet for six weeks. Seven-day isoenergetic menu plans were given according to mean energy requirements of both genders to provide 30% fat, 55% carbohydrates and 15% protein of total energy intake. Anthropometric measurements, physical activity, dietary intakes, blood pressure and arterial compliance were measured with standard methods at the beginning and end of the intervention. Fasting blood samples were drawn at the beginning and end of the intervention period. Results Consumer study: There were no practical significant differences in the consumers responses in terms of gender or age. Practical significant differences were found between different race and LSM (Living Standard Measure) groups for some variables. The overall response of consumers towards the effect of avocados on health, heart health, children's health and the health effects associated with the fat content of avocados were very positive. However, almost half the consumers are still not convinced of or are uncertain as to the cholesterol content of avocados, while 47% of the consumers still believe that avocados are fattening. More than 80% of the consumers agreed that avocados are a good source of vitamins and minerals, and 76% consider avocados to be a good source of fibre. Almost 70% of the consumers agreed that avocados are good for sportsmen and -women. Avocados were seen by 49% of the consumers to be an aphrodisiac. Dietary intervention study: Fifty-five subjects completed the study. Compliance with avocado intake in the experimental group was 94.6%. Anthropometric measurements (weight, body mass index and percentage body fat) decreased significantly in both groups during the study (p<0.001), and the change was similar in both groups. Serum lipid levels (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides), fibrinogen, blood pressure and arterial compliance did not change significantly within or between the two groups. SUMMARY Conclusions Consumer study: There are still a few myths and misconceptions that exist among some consumers regarding avocados, especially with regard to sexual functioning, cholesterol content, and fattening effect of avocados. The agricultural industry can use these results to plan different marketing campaigns focused on certain target groups to change the misperceptions concerning avocados and convey the positive nutritional value of avocados. Dietary intervention study: The consumption of 200 g avocado per day, within an energy restricted diet, does not compromise weight loss when substituted for 30 g of mixed dietary fat. The serum lipid levels, plasma fibrinogen, arterial compliance, as well as systolic and diastolic blood pressure were not affected by weight loss or avocado intake. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Nutrition))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

The occurrence of clinically diagnosed and/or ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) in the families of 220 patients with AAAs, treated at the Surgical Clinic, University Hospital of Umeå in the northern part of Sweden during the years 1965-82, was studied. A questionnaire concerning the blood relatives was answered by 87/89 patients. 16/87 patients (18%) had blood relatives with AAAs. In 14 families one blood relative was affected, and in 2 families two blood relatives were affected. First degree relatives were affected in 9/87 cases (10%), and second degree relatives in 7/87 cases (8%). 9/468 (1.9%) of the patients' brothers and sisters but only five of all their cousins had AAAs, and 7/204 (3.4%) of the dead brothers and sisters had died of ruptured AAAs. Concerning the patients who were not included in the letter survey at least 14/133had blood relatives with AAAs. However, the great majority of these patients were dead when the study was performed and could not be asked aboutthe occurrence of AAAs in their families. The patients with AAAs had significantly higher serum concentrations of triglyceride and (YLDL + LDL)-cholesterol and a significantly lower serum concentration of HDL-cholesterol than randomly selected healthy controls of the same sex and age as the patients. We also compared the distributions of genetic markers (HLA antigens, the blood group systems ABO, Rh, MNSs, P, Kell, Lewis and Duffy and the serum protein group systems haptoglobin, transferrin, group-specific component, complement C3, properdin factor and alpha-1-antitrypsin) in patients with AAAs with the distributions in controls and in some cases with the expected distributions according to the Hardy-Weinberg law. A significantly decreased frequency of Rh-negative individuals, and significantly increased frequencies of Kell-positi ve individuals, of MN heterozygotes and of heterozygotes concerning haptoglobin type was found. Furthermore, the aneurysm walls of patients with and without AAAs in the family were compared concerning the morphology, but no differences were found. We also studied the occurrence of collagen types I and III in the aneurysm walls, and the occurrence of vimentin and desmin in the smooth muscle cells of the aneurysm walls, but all these components were present in the aneurysm walls of both the patients with and those without AAAs in the family. To summarize the results, there seems to be an increased frequency of AAAs, and especially of ruptured AAAs, among the brothers and sisters of patients with AAAs. Elevated serum concentrations of triglyceride and (VLDL + LDL)- cholesterol and a lowered serum concentration of HDL-cholesterol seems to be common in patients with AAAs. There seems to be a hereditary predisposition to the development of AAAs, because we found associations with four different genetic markers (Rh, MN, Kell, haptoglobin group). However, there is probably no specific "familial" type of AAAs, because we found no differences between the patients with and those without AAAs in the family.Key words: / <p>S. 1-42: sammanfattning, s. 43-103: 5 uppsatser</p> / digitalisering@umu

Motivation The objective of the South African Avocado Growers Association (SAAGA) is to increase the demand of avocados by advertising, promoting and other means deemed fit by them. In order to promote and advertise a product, consumer research has to be done to determine the consumers' attitudes towards and beliefs concerning the product. These findings then need to be followed up by scientific studies, targeted at specific problems and target groups to yield scientific evidence. Little consumer research has been done on avocados and studies investigating the health effects of avocados are limited, with available literature only focussing on the cholesterol lowering effect of avocados. Objectives Firstly, the objective is to investigate the beliefs and attitudes of the South African consumer towards avocados and health; to determine whether gender, age group, race or living standard influence the consumers beliefs towards avocados. Secondly, the objective is to dispel the myth that avocados are fattening and should therefore be avoided in energy restricted diets; to examine the effects of avocados, a rich source of monounsaturated fatty acids, as part of an energy restricted diet on weight loss, serum lipids, fibrinogen and vascular function in overweight and obese subjects. Methods Consumer study: One thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven South African individuals, randomly selected from metropolitan areas in South Africa, participated in this survey. Data were weighed to reflect the adult metropolitan population based on gender, age and race distribution. The total population (10 695 000) was representative of both genders (5 423 000 men and 5 272 000 women) and major race groups (2 615 000 whites, 6 252 000 blacks, 1 255 000 coloureds and 573 000 Indians) from different age groups and living standards. The questionnaires were designed by a multidisciplinary team and consisted of seventeen foodrelated questionnaires, of which one questioned the beliefs regarding avocados. Trained field workers administrated questionnaires by conducting face-to-face interviews with consumers. The market research company, MARKINOR, was contracted to collect the data. Quantitative data was statistically analysed in order to generate the relevant descriptive statistics, cross tabulations and statistical tests. SUMMARY Dietary intervention study: Sixty one free-living volunteers (13 men; 48 women), with a mean (standard deviation) body mass index (BMI) of 32 (3.9) kg/m2, participated in this randomised, controlled parallel study. The subjects were paired according to gender, BMI and age and randomly assigned to one of two groups. The experimental group consumed 200 g of avocado (1 avocado) per day, substituting 30 g of other mixed dietary fats, and the control group excluded avocado from their energy restricted diet for six weeks. Seven-day isoenergetic menu plans were given according to mean energy requirements of both genders to provide 30% fat, 55% carbohydrates and 15% protein of total energy intake. Anthropometric measurements, physical activity, dietary intakes, blood pressure and arterial compliance were measured with standard methods at the beginning and end of the intervention. Fasting blood samples were drawn at the beginning and end of the intervention period. Results Consumer study: There were no practical significant differences in the consumers responses in terms of gender or age. Practical significant differences were found between different race and LSM (Living Standard Measure) groups for some variables. The overall response of consumers towards the effect of avocados on health, heart health, children's health and the health effects associated with the fat content of avocados were very positive. However, almost half the consumers are still not convinced of or are uncertain as to the cholesterol content of avocados, while 47% of the consumers still believe that avocados are fattening. More than 80% of the consumers agreed that avocados are a good source of vitamins and minerals, and 76% consider avocados to be a good source of fibre. Almost 70% of the consumers agreed that avocados are good for sportsmen and -women. Avocados were seen by 49% of the consumers to be an aphrodisiac. Dietary intervention study: Fifty-five subjects completed the study. Compliance with avocado intake in the experimental group was 94.6%. Anthropometric measurements (weight, body mass index and percentage body fat) decreased significantly in both groups during the study (p<0.001), and the change was similar in both groups. Serum lipid levels (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides), fibrinogen, blood pressure and arterial compliance did not change significantly within or between the two groups. SUMMARY Conclusions Consumer study: There are still a few myths and misconceptions that exist among some consumers regarding avocados, especially with regard to sexual functioning, cholesterol content, and fattening effect of avocados. The agricultural industry can use these results to plan different marketing campaigns focused on certain target groups to change the misperceptions concerning avocados and convey the positive nutritional value of avocados. Dietary intervention study: The consumption of 200 g avocado per day, within an energy restricted diet, does not compromise weight loss when substituted for 30 g of mixed dietary fat. The serum lipid levels, plasma fibrinogen, arterial compliance, as well as systolic and diastolic blood pressure were not affected by weight loss or avocado intake. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Nutrition))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

L’excès de poids est un facteur de risque reconnu de cancer du sein après la ménopause, et les études tendent à montrer qu’il s’agit aussi d’un facteur de mauvais pronostic chez les femmes ayant eu un cancer du sein. Cependant, peu d’études ont caractérisé le type d’obésité impliqué dans ces associations, ainsi que l’impact de l’historique d’évolution de la corpulence. De plus, alors que le rôle de certains mécanismes impliqués dans ces associations est connu, le rôle d’autres dérèglements fréquemment associés à un excès d’adiposité, comme les dérèglements du métabolisme lipidique, est mal connu.Nous avons utilisé les données de la cohorte E3N, incluant 98995 femmes nées entre 1925 et 1950 et suivies depuis 1990, afin d’étudier les associations de différentes mesures de la corpulence avant diagnostic, ainsi que de la corpulence de l’enfance à l’âge adulte avec la survie chez les femmes ayant eu un cancer du sein. De plus, à partir d’une étude cas-témoin nichée dans la cohorte, nous avons évalué les associations entre lipides sériques et cancer du sein (risque et survie).Nous avons mis en évidence une association entre un tour de hanche élevé avant diagnostic et la survie après cancer du sein. Une corpulence croissante au cours de la vie a également été associée à une moins bonne survie. En revanche, les lipides sériques n’étaient pas associés avec le risque de cancer du sein ou la survie après cancer du sein.Ce travail souligne donc l’importance de limiter au maximum, tout au long de la vie, l’excès d’adiposité, ainsi que la nécessité de mieux caractériser les mécanismes impliqués dans les associations entre excès de poids et survie après cancer du sein. / Excess adiposity is a known risk factor for postmenopausal breast cancer and studies suggest that excess adiposity is also associated with a poor breast cancer survival. However, only few studies have characterized the type of adiposity involved in these associations, as well as the influence of body size changes during life. In addition, despite the fact that several biological mechanisms have been suggested to explain the obesity-cancer relationship, the influence of other metabolic changes frequently associated with excess adiposity, such as dysregulation of lipid metabolism, is not established.Using data from the E3N cohort study, which includes 98 995 women born between 1925 and 1950 and followed since 1990, we studied the associations between several measures of prediagnosis adiposity, as well as body size at several periods in life and body size changes, and survival after breast cancer. Lastly, we focused on the associations between several serum markers of lipid metabolism and risk and survival after breast cancer, in a case-control study nested within the cohort.A higher prediagnosis hip circumference and an increase in lifetime body size were both associated with a poor breast cancer survival. On the contrary, serum lipids were not associated with breast cancer risk or survival.Together, those results underline the necessity of reducing excess adiposity over the life course as much as possible and of a better understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying the obesity-breast cancer survival relationship.

Background: Serumlipid concentrations are thought to be risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease. The present study aims to investigate the prevalence of dyslipidemia and provide sex- and age-related reference values for triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol as well as apolipoproteins A1 and B by using modern analytical approaches. Materials and methods: Venous blood and anthropometric data were collected from 2571 subjects of the LIFE Child study, aged between 0.5 and 16 years. Age- and gender-related reference intervals (3rd and 97th percentiles) were established by using Cole's LMS method. Results: Serumconcentrations of TC, LDL-C, TG and ApoBwere higher in girls than in boys. In girls TC reached peak levels two years earlier than in boys. Triglyceride levels initially declined until the school age.Until early adolescence there was a steady increase. The LDL-C concentrations in girls and boys followed similar patterns to that of TC. Up to the age of 8 years, a continuous increase in HDL levels for both sexeswas found. Due to the strong correlation between HDL-C and ApoA1 (r=0.87) or rather between LDL-C and ApoB (r=0.93), the respective percentiles showed very similar patterns. Dyslipidemia prevalence were as follows: increased TC 7.8%, increased LDL 6.1%, increased TG 0–9 years 22.1%, increased TG 10–16 years 11.7%, and decreased HDL 8.0%. Conclusion: Age- and sex-related trends for all parameters are similar to those of the German KIGGS study. With the exception of HDL cholesterol, the prevalence of dyslipidemias in the German LIFE Child cohort are similar to the US-American prevalence.:I Abkürzungsverzeichnis - 03 - 1 Bibliographische Beschreibung - 04 - 2 Einleitung - 05 - 2.1 Hintergrund - 05 - 2.2 Serumlipide, Apolipoproteine und Dyslipidämien - 05 - 2.3 Referenzintervalle - 08 - 2.4 Soziodemographische Faktoren - 10 - 2.5 Die LIFE-Child Studie - 12 - 2.6 Hypothesen, Frage- und Zielstellungen - 13 - 3 Publikationen - 14 - 3.1 Pediatric reference data of serum lipids and prevalence of dyslipidemia: results from a population-based cohort in Germany - 15 - 3.2 Serum lipid levels were related to socio-demographic characteristics in a German population-based child cohort. Serum lipid levels and social class - 25 - 4 Zusammenfassung - 33 - 5 Literaturverzeichnis - 36 - II Anhang - 45 - III Erklärung über die eigenständige Abfassung der Arbeit - 64 - IV Curriculum vitae - 65 - V Danksagung - 66 - / Aim: Socio-demographic factors affect the development and lives of children and adolescents. We examined links between serum lipids and apolipoproteins and sociodemographic factors in the Leipzig Research Centre for Civilization Diseases Child (LIFE Child) study. Methods: The Winkler index and the Family Affluence Scale were used to define characteristics of the social status of 938 boys and 860 girls aged from birth to 19 years. We then used univariate and multivariate regression analyses to examine the sociodemographic impact on total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, highdensity lipoprotein (HDL), cholesterol triglycerides and apolipoproteins A1 (ApoA1) and B (ApoB). Results: No significant influences on the Winkler index or the Family Affluence Scale were observed regarding the concentrations of serum lipids for total cholesterol or LDL cholesterol. However, and most importantly, children and adolescents with high social status and high family affluence showed significantly higher HDL cholesterol and ApoA1 levels than those with lower individual totals. A higher Winkler index was associated with significantly lower values for triglycerides and ApoB. Conclusion: Adolescents with higher family wealth and social status showed a lower cardiovascular risk profile, as measured by the concentrations of HDL cholesterol and triglycerides as well as ApoA1 and B.:I Abkürzungsverzeichnis - 03 - 1 Bibliographische Beschreibung - 04 - 2 Einleitung - 05 - 2.1 Hintergrund - 05 - 2.2 Serumlipide, Apolipoproteine und Dyslipidämien - 05 - 2.3 Referenzintervalle - 08 - 2.4 Soziodemographische Faktoren - 10 - 2.5 Die LIFE-Child Studie - 12 - 2.6 Hypothesen, Frage- und Zielstellungen - 13 - 3 Publikationen - 14 - 3.1 Pediatric reference data of serum lipids and prevalence of dyslipidemia: results from a population-based cohort in Germany - 15 - 3.2 Serum lipid levels were related to socio-demographic characteristics in a German population-based child cohort. Serum lipid levels and social class - 25 - 4 Zusammenfassung - 33 - 5 Literaturverzeichnis - 36 - II Anhang - 45 - III Erklärung über die eigenständige Abfassung der Arbeit - 64 - IV Curriculum vitae - 65 - V Danksagung - 66 -