Diet, Alcohol Consumption and Serum Lipid Levels of Elderly Men and Women of Ibo Extraction in the Delta State of Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Serum lipid levels are directly associated with the development and progression of coronary heart disease especially in the elderly, and lifestyle factors can modify this association.
Objective: This study aims to determine the effect of diet and alcohol consumption on lipid profile of elderly subjects in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria.
Methodology: Elderly subjects attending quarterly medical lectures organized by a non-governmental organization at the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba were recruited. Information on diet, alcohol consumption and hypertension were obtained and serum lipids were determined using standard cholesterol / low density lipoprotein and cholesterol precipitating reagents.
Results: They were 110 males and 66 females. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia was 47%. Elevated total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol were associated with consumption of high fatty diet and absence/high alcohol consumption, although, this was not statistically significant (p= 0.3).
Conclusion: Dyslipidaemia is prevalent in our elderly population and low dietary fat and moderate alcohol consumption are associated with better lipid parameters.

Keywords: Dyslipidaemia, elderly population, lifestyle factors