Log in to MyACC
Trends in Lipid Levels and Apolipoprotein B in US Youths
Study Questions:
What have been the trends in levels of lipids and apolipoprotein B in US youths from 1999 to 2016?
Methods:
A serial cross-sectional analysis was performed of US population data for youths aged 6-19 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) for 1999-2016.
Results:
A total of 26,047 individuals were included (weighted mean age, 12.4 years; 51% female). The adjusted mean total cholesterol level decreased from 164 mg/dl (95% confidence interval [CI], 161-167 mg/dl) in 1999-2000 to 155 mg/dl (95% CI, 154-157 mg/dl) in 2015-2016. Adjusted mean high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level increased from 53.5 mg/dl (95% CI, 51.7-53.3 mg/dl) in 2007-2008 to 55 mg/dl (95% CI, 99-102 mg/dl) in 2015-2016. Among fasting adolescents, mean levels of apolipoprotein B declined from 70 mg/dl (95% CI, 68-72 mg/dl) in 2005-2006 to 67 mg/dl (95% CI, 65-70 mg/dl). By the end of the study period, 51.4% (95% CI, 48.5-54.2%) of all youths had ideal levels for HDL, non-HDL, and total cholesterol; among adolescents, 46.8% (95% CI, 40.9-52.6%) had ideal levels for all lipids and apolipoprotein B, whereas 15.2% (95% CI, 13.1-17.3%) of children aged 6-11 years and 25.2% (95% CI, 22.2-28.2%) of adolescents aged 12-19 years had ≥1 adverse level.
Conclusions:
The authors concluded that between 1999 and 2016, favorable trends were observed in levels of lipids and apolipoprotein B in youths 6-19 years of age.
Perspective:
It has been well-established that cardiovascular risk factors in children remain and predict cardiovascular events in adulthood. This study made use of the NHANES sample to assess trends in cholesterol and apolipoprotein B levels in youths from 1999-2016. Across the range of the lipid panel, there has been a modest improvement in lipid values over the time period under consideration. The cause for this improvement is not clear, although it is possible that it could be due to dietary modifications including decreased dietary intake of trans fats. Because unfavorable cholesterol values remained in almost half of study participants at the end of the study period, there continues to be room for improvement. Further study directed at understanding the reasons for favorable lipid trends is necessary.
Clinical Topics: Congenital Heart Disease and Pediatric Cardiology, Diabetes and Cardiometabolic Disease, Dyslipidemia, Prevention, CHD and Pediatrics and Arrhythmias, CHD and Pediatrics and Prevention, CHD and Pediatrics and Quality Improvement, Lipid Metabolism, Nonstatins, Diet
Keywords: Adolescent, Apolipoproteins B, Cholesterol, Cholesterol, HDL, Diet, Dyslipidemias, Lipids, Lipoproteins, Pediatrics, Primary Prevention, Risk Factors
< Back to Listings
