Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the difference in nutrient intakes between normocholesterolemia and hypercholesterolemia. The subjects were classified as normocholesterolemia and hypercholesterolemia based on The Guideline for Korean Hyperlipidemia. A semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to measure the dietary intakes of the subjects. The results obtained are summarized as follows. Intakes of nutrients such as energy, carbohydrate, protein, fat, minerals, and antioxidant vitamins were not significantly different between the normocholesterolemia group and hypercholesterolemia group. However, antioxidant vitamins and folate intakes in the hypercholesterolemia group tended to be lower than those in the normocholesterolmia group. Intakes of vitamin A, vitamin E, and Ca in normocholesterolemia was much less than the RDA for those nutrients in normocholesterolemia. Cholesterol intake in the hypercholesterolemia group was significantly higher than that in the normochoesterolemia group. However, mean cholesterol intake(240 mg/day) of the hypercholesterolemia group was much less than that of Americans whose cholesterol intake was 400 - 500 me/day. Fatty acid intakes were not significantly different between normocholesterolemia and hypercholesterolemia groups but the hypercholesterolemia group tended to consume omega3 fatty acids less than the normocholesterolemia group. Out data indicate that cholesterol intake is man important determinant of serum cholesterol levels in postmenopausal women. The results of this study provide information that is important in designing appropriate dietary guidelines for hypercholesterolemia in postmenopausal women.

• Keywords: hypercholesterolemia; semiquantiative food frequency questionnaire; nutrient intake; fatty acid intake