Abstract
BackgroundThe Southern region of the United States is home to substantial populations with obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertriglyceridemia, while also housing a large percentage of America’s minority, rural, and low socioeconomic status (SES) peoples. Adult-onset cardiovascular disease (CVD) research may be informed by investigating associations(s) between late adolescent demographic variables and lipid values. Our objective was to investigate lipid parameter associations with college-age socioeconomic status, which may improve age-specific screening algorithms for management or prevention of adult-onset CVD.MethodsUsing an Analysis of Variance test and a general linear model, associations between gender, race/ethnicity, SES, and athletic participation on lipid parameters (VLDL-C, LDL-C, TG, TC, and HDL-C) were analyzed in 4423 private liberal arts college students enrolled in freshman-level wellness courses at Furman University in Greenville, SC. Comparative data were collected from an age-matched sample (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: NHANES 2003–2016). Our main outcomes were statistically significant relationships between any lipid values (TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, TG) and any demographic variables (gender, SES, ethnicity, athlete status).ResultsMales demonstrated lower TC and LDL-C, and higher HDL-C values. HDL-C was highest in athletes. African-American students demonstrated healthier VLDL-C, TG, and HDL-C values. With similar distributions, the age-matched NHANES comparison group showed unhealthier values in nearly all categories.ConclusionsCollege students may have better lipid health than the general population. African-Americans may have seemingly healthier lipid values than age-matched individuals independent of athletic or college enrollment which has already been demonstrated in other studies. Future research should include SES relationships in lipid screening paradigms along with other appropriate risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Based on our comparative data, pediatric health providers and researchers may consider education as a potential protective factor against poor lipid health when considering lipid screening protocols for students.
Highlights
The Southern region of the United States is home to substantial populations with obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertriglyceridemia, while housing a large percentage of America’s minority, rural, and low socioeconomic status (SES) peoples
Routine lipid screening in adults offers quantifiable data when assessing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk based on measurements including lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)
No significant associations were discovered between SES/financial need status and lipid values, except where Medium Need students displayed a slight elevation in total cholesterol at 165.5 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) (161.2, 169.8) versus 159.7 (157.2, 162.2) for High Need and 160.1 (157.8, 162.4) for Low Need students
Summary
The Southern region of the United States is home to substantial populations with obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertriglyceridemia, while housing a large percentage of America’s minority, rural, and low socioeconomic status (SES) peoples. The South is home to significant populations living with obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertriglyceridemia, and houses many individuals from minority, rural, and low socioeconomic status (SES), all of which are independent risk factors for adult CVD [2]. Performing lipid screenings as well as associating social determinants of health-based risk factors in younger generations may help identify and later prevent adult CVD; the 2016 United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) current recommendations for lipid screening in patients under 25 years old is classified with “I” for “Insufficient Evidence” [6]. Screening for poor lipid health and other CVD risk factors (including low SES and minority and ethnic heritage) during late youth or early college years (participants’ ages ranged 18–24) may help diagnose premorbid cardiovascular disease and help prevent future vascular complications and/or death [10, 11]. More information on the relationship between lipid values, SES, race/ethnicity, and lifestyle in young adults is needed to help resolve these disparate recommendations while screening for early onset lipid disease in pediatric populations
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