A total of 400 personnel were recruited in the study. Their mean (± SD) age was 34.67 (± 6.61) years. Table 1 shows the basic characteristics of the study participants and their dietary intake of calorie, protein, carbohydrates, fiber, total fat, cholesterol, SFA, MUFA and PUFA.
Table 1
Basic characteristics of the individuals participated in this study.
Characteristics
|
Mean
|
SD
|
Age (years)
|
34.67
|
6.61
|
Body weight (kg)
|
80.53
|
11.35
|
Height (cm)
|
176.09
|
6.74
|
BMI (kg/m2)
|
25.89
|
2.71
|
Waist circumference (cm)
|
92.48
|
10.41
|
Hip circumference (cm)
|
100.10
|
8.55
|
Waist – hip ratio (WHR)
|
0.92
|
0.04
|
Education
|
|
|
Diploma
|
7 (2.5%)
|
|
Associate degree
|
106 (35%)
|
|
Bachelor degree
|
163 (45%)
|
|
Master degree
|
23 (7%)
|
|
Cigarette smoker
|
8
|
|
Non-smoker
|
292
|
|
Marital status
|
|
|
Single
|
36 (12%)
|
|
Married
|
264 (88%)
|
|
Serum parameters and blood pressure
|
|
|
FBS (mg/dL)
|
90.55
|
16.95
|
TG (mg/dL)
|
141.67
|
52.26
|
Cholesterol (mg/dL)
|
165.17
|
33.99
|
LDL-c (mg/dL)
|
98.16
|
21.00
|
HDL-C (mg/dL)
|
38.84
|
7.31
|
Systolic BP
|
119.74
|
10.09
|
Diastolic BP
|
79.43
|
7.20
|
Adiponectin (µg/mL)
|
12.38
|
9.54
|
Physical activity level
|
|
|
Inactive
|
11.3%
|
|
Moderately inactive
|
24.9%
|
|
Moderately active
|
32.4%
|
|
Active
|
26.5%
|
|
Dietary intake
|
|
|
Calorie intake (kcal/d)
|
2258.48
|
790.83
|
Carbohydrate intake (g/d)
|
377.44
|
143.88
|
Total fat intake ( g/d)
|
55.72
|
53.56
|
Protein intake ( g/d)
|
82.71
|
34.23
|
SFA intake (g/d)
|
12.75
|
14.30
|
MUFA intake (g/d)
|
7.49
|
11.82
|
PUFA intake (g/d)
|
4.92
|
10.84
|
Fiber intake (g/d)
|
7.88
|
3.71
|
Cholesterol intake (mg/d)
|
515.20
|
748.30
|
Data are presented as mean ± SD (n = 400). BMI, body mass index; FBS, Fasting blood sugar; HDL-c, High density lipoprotein cholesterol; MUFA, LDL-c, Low density lipoprotein cholesterol; monounsaturated fatty acid; PUFA, polyunsaturated fatty acid; SFA, saturated fatty acid; TG, Triglyceride; SD, standard deviation; WHR, waist-hip ratio. |
The results showed that the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and pre-diabetes were 3.3% (n = 13) and 13.3% (n = 53), respectively. The prevalence of hypercholestrplemia was 13% (n = 52) and hypertriglyceridemia was 30.4% (n = 122). The prevalence of overweight and obesity were 13.7% (n = 55) and 4.7% (n = 19), respectively. Waist circumference more than 100 cm was considered as obesity and it was 14.4% (n = 58). A 10.4% (n = 42) of participated military personnel had systolic hypertension and 14.7% (n = 59) had diastolic hypertension.
The average calorie intake through carbohydrate, fat and protein intake of the total calorie consumption was 67%, 22% and 11%, respectively. The mean percent calorie intake from dietary SFA was 5 ± 6% of total calorie intake.
The adjusted and un-adjusted correlations between various erythrocyte membrane fatty acids and serum adiponectin and lipids
The Pearson correlation showed a significant inverse relationship between total SFA, Lauric, Myristic and Palmitic acid measured in the erythrocyte membrane and serum adiponectin level before and after adjustment for age, weight, BMI, WHR and calorie intake (Table 2). In univariate analysis, there was also negative significant association between total SFA (β=-0.243, p = 0.023), Lauric (β=-0.204, p = 0.012), Myristic (β=−0.122, p = 0.029) and Palmitic acid (β=-0.172, p = 0.033) in erythrocyte-membrane and serum adiponectin level (Table 3).
Table 2
Age, BMI, WHR and calorie adjusted and unadjusted correlations between various fatty acids measured in erythrocyte membrane and serum adiponectin and lipids
|
Adiponectin
|
Triglycerides
|
Cholesterol
|
LDL-cholesterol
|
HDL-cholesterol
|
|
Un-adjusted
|
|
Adjusted
|
|
Un-adjusted
|
|
Adjusted
|
|
Un-adjusted
|
|
Adjusted
|
|
Un-adjusted
|
|
Adjusted
|
|
Un-adjusted
|
|
Adjusted
|
|
|
r
|
p
|
r
|
p
|
r
|
p
|
r
|
p
|
r
|
p
|
r
|
p
|
r
|
p
|
r
|
P
|
r
|
p
|
r
|
P
|
SFA
|
-0.21
|
0.001
|
-0.20
|
0.01
|
0.08
|
0.43
|
0.05
|
0.47
|
0.27
|
0.001
|
0.25
|
0.001
|
0.19
|
0.03
|
0.15
|
0.02
|
-0.08
|
0.83
|
-0.03
|
0.36
|
Lauric acid (12:0)
|
-0.25
|
0.02
|
-0.18
|
0.03
|
0.002
|
0.64
|
0.001
|
0.58
|
0.23
|
0.01
|
0.20
|
0.01
|
0.22
|
0.02
|
0.19
|
0.04
|
-0.03
|
0.53
|
-0.01
|
0.68
|
Myristic acid (14:0)
|
-0.22
|
0.001
|
-0.20
|
0.01
|
0.005
|
0.78
|
0.002
|
0.39
|
0.19
|
0.001
|
0.18
|
0.01
|
0.23
|
0.01
|
0.18
|
0.03
|
-0.009
|
0.69
|
-0.004
|
0.89
|
Palmitic acid (16:0)
|
-0.27
|
0.001
|
-0.22
|
0.02
|
0.04
|
0.29
|
0.005
|
0.88
|
0.17
|
0.02
|
0.15
|
0.02
|
0.22
|
0.001
|
0.19
|
0.01
|
-0.001
|
0.63
|
-0.001
|
0.34
|
Stearic acid (18:0)
|
0.03
|
0.68
|
0.006
|
0.42
|
0.006
|
0.70
|
0.001
|
0.69
|
.0.005
|
0.24
|
0.002
|
0.63
|
0.02
|
0.51
|
0.01
|
0.23
|
0.003
|
0.74
|
0.001
|
0.83
|
MUFA
|
0.18
|
0.04
|
0.15
|
0.04
|
0.005
|
0.53
|
0.004
|
0.35
|
-0.18
|
0.03
|
-0.15
|
0.04
|
-0.20
|
0.002
|
-0.18
|
0.01
|
0.002
|
0.38
|
0.001
|
0.74
|
PUFA
|
-0.05
|
0.44
|
-0.01
|
0.83
|
0.006
|
0.83
|
0.001
|
0.56
|
0.02
|
0.34
|
0.01
|
0.23
|
0.005
|
0.71
|
0.002
|
0.42
|
-0.02
|
0.52
|
-0.008
|
0.39
|
n-3
|
0.15
|
0.03
|
0.14
|
0.02
|
0.004
|
0.34
|
0.005
|
0.46
|
0.07
|
0.87
|
0.009
|
0.32
|
0.002
|
0.58
|
0.001
|
0.98
|
0.002
|
0.65
|
0.002
|
0.68
|
α-Linolenic acid (18:3n-3)
|
0.03
|
0.75
|
0.01
|
0.41
|
0.01
|
0.57
|
0.04
|
0.57
|
0.01
|
0.12
|
0.009
|
0.78
|
0.03
|
0.62
|
0.01
|
0.29
|
0.02
|
0.32
|
0.01
|
0.66
|
EPA (20:5n-3)
|
0.24
|
0.001
|
0.19
|
0.01
|
0.07
|
0.45
|
0.04
|
0.35
|
.0.001
|
0.76
|
0.001
|
0.59
|
0.002
|
0.35
|
0.001
|
0.89
|
0.001
|
0.47
|
0.001
|
0.88
|
DHA (22:6n-3)
|
0.12
|
0.04
|
0.11
|
0.03
|
0.004
|
0.62
|
0.003
|
0.88
|
.0.01
|
0.67
|
0.001
|
0.32
|
0.07
|
089
|
0.01
|
0.99
|
0.02
|
0.67
|
0.01
|
0.77
|
n-6
|
0.003
|
0.75
|
0.001
|
0.85
|
0.007
|
0.35
|
0.001
|
069
|
0.07
|
0.87
|
0.01
|
0.44
|
0.02
|
088
|
0.02
|
0.58
|
0.009
|
0.43
|
0.005
|
0.33
|
Linoleic acid (18:2n-6)
|
0.007
|
0.65
|
0.002
|
0.84
|
0.04
|
0.31
|
0.03
|
0.43
|
0. 22
|
0.04
|
0.15
|
0.03
|
0.15
|
0.03
|
0.12
|
0.01
|
0.002
|
0.36
|
0.001
|
0.76
|
Arachidonic acid (20:4n-6)
|
0.04
|
0.74
|
0.01
|
0.58
|
0.001
|
0.89
|
0.001
|
0.38
|
0.02
|
0.32
|
0.01
|
0.87
|
0.03
|
0.44
|
0.01
|
0.85
|
0.002
|
0.35
|
0.009
|
0.89
|
Trans Fatty Acids
|
-0.06
|
0.38
|
-0.02
|
0.65
|
0.05
|
0.71
|
0.03
|
0.51
|
0.28
|
0.001
|
0.30
|
0.001
|
0.29
|
0.001
|
0.24
|
0.01
|
0.03
|
0.72
|
0.008
|
0.49
|
BMI, Body mass index; DHA, Docosahexanoic acid; EPA, Eicosapentanoic acid; HDL-C, High density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL-C, Low density lipoprotein cholesterol; MUFA, Monounsaturated fatty acids, PUFA, Polyunsaturated fatty acids; SFA, Saturated fatty acids; WHR, Waist hip ratio. |
Table 3
Multiple linear regression analysis for the association between fatty acids measured in erythrocyte membrane and serum adiponectin, triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL-c and HDL-c in army personnel.
|
Adiponectin
|
Triglycerides
|
Cholesterol
|
LDL-cholesterol
|
HDL-cholesterol
|
|
β
|
p
|
β
|
p
|
β
|
p
|
β
|
p
|
β
|
p
|
Total SFA
|
-0.243
|
0.023
|
0.012
|
0.409
|
0.210
|
0.002
|
0.197
|
0.026
|
0.013
|
0.783
|
Lauric acid (12:0)
|
-0.204
|
0.012
|
0.021
|
0.908
|
0.182
|
0.034
|
0.207
|
0.001
|
0.026
|
0.623
|
Myristic acid (14:0)
|
−0.122
|
0.029
|
0.003
|
0.476
|
0.127
|
0.048
|
0.155
|
0.025
|
0.003
|
0.325
|
Palmitic acid (16:0)
|
-0.172
|
0.033
|
0.009
|
0.971
|
0.188
|
0.038
|
0.195
|
0.029
|
0.007
|
0.599
|
Stearic acid (18:0)
|
0.038
|
0.459
|
0.044
|
0.612
|
-0.0 09
|
0.471
|
-0.004
|
0.612
|
0.005
|
0.633
|
MUFA
|
0.017
|
0.236
|
-0.006
|
0.322
|
-0.173
|
0.046
|
-0.199
|
0.022
|
0.023
|
0.722
|
PUFA
|
0.24 4
|
0.021
|
-0.030
|
0.774
|
-0.201
|
0.017
|
-0.184
|
0.018
|
0.006
|
0.341
|
n-3
|
0.226
|
0.009
|
-0.014
|
0.436
|
-0.024
|
0.577
|
-0.001
|
0.744
|
0.012
|
0.977
|
α-Linolenic acid (18:3n-3)
|
−0.011
|
0.977
|
-0.028
|
0.497
|
-0.0 01
|
0.355
|
-0.025
|
0.097
|
0.042
|
0.325
|
EPA (20:5n-3)
|
0.156
|
0.026
|
-0.007
|
0.644
|
-0.027
|
0.892
|
-0.019
|
0.582
|
0.006
|
0.994
|
DHA (22:6n-3)
|
0.220
|
0.042
|
-0.038
|
0.591
|
-0.026
|
0.845
|
-0.009
|
0.855
|
0.019
|
0.341
|
n-6
|
0.031
|
0.548
|
0.038
|
0.482
|
-0.184
|
0.031
|
-0.199
|
0.037
|
0.002
|
0.114
|
Linoleic acid (18:2n-6)
|
0.002
|
0.576
|
0.001
|
0.645
|
-0.216
|
0.017
|
-0.207
|
0.021
|
0.005
|
0.833
|
Arachidonic acid (20:4n-6)
|
0.025
|
0.899
|
0.013
|
0.986
|
0.012
|
0.241
|
0.028
|
0.099
|
0.016
|
0.839
|
Trans fatty acids
|
0.01 1
|
0.387
|
0.015
|
0.631
|
0.265
|
0.048
|
0.19 6
|
0.045
|
0.001
|
0.966
|
HDL-c, High density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL-c, Low density lipoprotein cholesterol; MUFA, Monounsaturated fatty acids; PUFA, Polyunsaturated fatty acids; SFA, Saturated fatty acids; , |
Also a positive significant correlation was found between total n-3 PUFA, EPA and DHA derived from erythrocyte membrane with serum adiponectin level before and after adjustment for age, weight, BMI, WHR and calorie intake (Table 2). Moreover, in univariate regression analysis we found a positive association between n-3 PUFA (β = 0.226, p = 0.009), EPA (β=−0.156, p = 0.026) and DHA (β = 0.220, p = 0.042) derived from erythrocyte-membrane and adiponectin after adjustment for age, weight, BMI, WHR and calorie intake (Table 3).
Bivariate correlation analysis depicted a significant positive correlation between total SFA, Lauric, Myristic and Palmitic acid measured in the erythrocyte membrane with serum total cholesterol and LDL-c level before and after adjustment for age, weight, BMI, WHR and calorie intake (Table 2). This significant relationship persisted in the univariate regression analyses for total SFA (β = 0.210, p = 0.002), Lauric (β = 0.182, p = 0.034), Myristic (β = 0.127, p = 0.048) and Palmitic acid (β = 0.188, p = 0.038) measured in the erythrocyte membrane and serum total cholesterol after adjustment for age, BMI, WHR and total calorie intake (Table 3). Moreover, in univariate regression analysis, a positive association was observed between total SFA (β = 0.197, p = 0.026), Lauric (β = 0.207, p = 0.001), Myristic (β = 0.155, p = 0.025) and Palmitic acid (β = 0.195, p = 0.029) measured in the erythrocyte membrane and serum LDL-c after the adjustment for age, BMI, WHR and total calorie intake (Table 3).
Based on the obtained data a negative significant association was found between Linoleic acid measured in erythrocyte membrane with serum total cholesterol and LDL-c levels (Table 2). In the multiple regression analyses, Linoleic acid measured in erythrocyte membrane showed a significant negative correlation with serum cholesterol level (β=-0.216, p = 0.017), and LDL-c (β=-0.207, p = 0.021) after controlling for age, BMI, WHR and total calorie intake (Table 3).
There was no significant correlation between trans fatty acids in erythrocyte membrane and adiponectin and other serum lipids.
The dietary fatty acid intake and adiponectin and serum lipid profile
There was a significant inverse but weak correlation between dietary SFA intake and serum adiponectin level was observed, which persisted even after the adjustment for age, BMI, WHR and total calorie intake (Table 4). Multiple regression analyses showed that, dietary SFA intake had a significant negative and weak correlation with serum adiponectin level (β=-0.079, p = 0.034) after the adjustment for age, BMI, WHR and total calorie intake (Table 5).
Table 4
Age, BIM, WHR, calorie intake adjusted and un-adjusted correlation between dietary MUFA, PUFA, SFA, cholesterol, carbohydrate, fiber and serum adiponectin and lipids
|
Adiponectin
|
Triglycerides
|
Cholesterol
|
LDL-cholesterol
|
HDL-cholesterol
|
|
Un-adjusted
|
|
Adjusted
|
|
Un-adjusted
|
|
Adjusted
|
|
Un-adjusted
|
|
Adjusted
|
|
Un-adjusted
|
|
Adjusted
|
|
Un-adjusted
|
|
Adjusted
|
|
|
r
|
p
|
r
|
p
|
r
|
p
|
r
|
p
|
r
|
p
|
r
|
p
|
r
|
p
|
r
|
P
|
r
|
p
|
r
|
P
|
Dietary fat
|
-0.03
|
0.49
|
-0.002
|
0.82
|
-0.06
|
0.59
|
-0.001
|
0.89
|
0.09
|
0.42
|
0.008
|
0.38
|
-0.06
|
0.58
|
0.05
|
0.96
|
-0.06
|
0.52
|
-0.04
|
0.85
|
Dietary SFA
|
-0.1 0
|
0.001
|
-0.09
|
0.01
|
-0.07
|
0.56
|
-0.08
|
0.43
|
0.12
|
0.01
|
0.09
|
0.03
|
0.12
|
0.02
|
0.11
|
0.04
|
0.02
|
0.20
|
0.001
|
0.55
|
Dietary MUFA
|
-0.02
|
0.51
|
-0.01
|
0.87
|
0.02
|
0.44
|
0.03
|
0.71
|
− .0.09
|
0.02
|
-0.08
|
0.04
|
-0. 10
|
0.04
|
-0.11
|
0.03
|
0.14
|
0.03
|
0.0 1
|
0.4 8
|
Oleic acid
|
-0.07
|
0.82
|
-0.05
|
0.23
|
0.08
|
0.39
|
0.09
|
0.69
|
− .0.12
|
0.01
|
-0.10
|
0.02
|
-0.13
|
0.01
|
-0. 15
|
0.04
|
0.10
|
0.02
|
0.08
|
0.35
|
Dietary PUFA
|
-0.002
|
0.22
|
-0.001
|
0.49
|
0.05
|
0.32
|
0.001
|
0.67
|
-0.09
|
0.02
|
-0.14
|
0.03
|
-0.13
|
0.03
|
-0.09
|
0.04
|
0.11
|
0.01
|
0.009
|
0.5 4
|
Linoleic acid
|
-0.005
|
0.78
|
-0.008
|
0.82
|
0.02
|
0.76
|
0.008
|
0.35
|
-0.10
|
0.01
|
-0.12
|
0.02
|
-0.10
|
0.04
|
-0.10
|
0.03
|
0.12
|
0.03
|
0.001
|
0.97
|
Linolenic acid
|
-0.009
|
0.72
|
-0.006
|
0.35
|
0.009
|
0.45
|
0.005
|
0.73
|
-0.12
|
0.03
|
-0.11
|
0.04
|
-0.09
|
0.01
|
-0.13
|
0.01
|
0.13
|
0.02
|
0.004
|
0.77
|
n-3 fatty acids
|
-0.007
|
0.45
|
-0.003
|
0.76
|
0.01
|
040
|
0.002
|
0.72
|
0.03
|
0.97
|
0.005
|
0.81
|
0.006
|
0.58
|
0.02
|
0.49
|
-0.009
|
0.80
|
-0.007
|
0.59
|
Dietary carb.
|
-0.001
|
0.23
|
-0.01
|
0.5 2
|
0.08
|
0.01
|
0.06
|
0.01
|
0.21
|
0.47
|
0.19
|
0.45
|
0.19
|
0.68
|
0.15
|
0.67
|
-0.09
|
0.98
|
-0.05
|
0.72
|
Dietary chol.
|
0.001
|
0.84
|
.0001
|
0.80
|
0.034
|
048
|
0.078
|
0.99
|
.001
|
0.98
|
.0001
|
0.99
|
0.094
|
0.37
|
.0089
|
0.24
|
0.060
|
0.13
|
0.079
|
0.26
|
Dietary fiber
|
-0.07
|
0.31
|
-0.04
|
0.48
|
0.08
|
0.50
|
0.09
|
0.83
|
0.24
|
0.03
|
0.09
|
0.04
|
0.20
|
0.01
|
0.12
|
0.02
|
-0.07
|
0.33
|
-0.03
|
0.52
|
BMI, Body mass index; Carb., Carbohydrate; Chol., Cholesterol; HDL-c, High density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL-c, Low density lipoprotein cholesterol; MUFA, Monounsaturated fatty acids; PUFA, Polyunsaturated fatty acids; SFA, Saturated fatty acids; WHR, waist-hip ratio. |
Table 5
Multiple linear regression analysis for the association between dietary lipids and serum adiponectin, triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL-c and HDL-c in army personnel
|
Adiponectin
|
Triglycerides
|
Cholesterol
|
LDL-cholesterol
|
HDL-cholesterol
|
|
β
|
p
|
β
|
p
|
β
|
p
|
β
|
p
|
β
|
p
|
Dietary SFA
|
-0.079
|
0.034
|
0.0 17
|
0.565
|
0.122
|
0.011
|
0.1 35
|
0.001
|
0.004
|
0.257
|
Dietary PUFA
|
0.0 13
|
0.728
|
-0.0 14
|
0.237
|
-0. 099
|
0.034
|
-0.10 4
|
0.022
|
0.0 72
|
0.542
|
Linoleic acid
|
0.025
|
0.651
|
-0.07 3
|
0.755
|
-0.1 38
|
0.039
|
-0.056
|
0.042
|
0.0 44
|
0.673
|
Linolenic acid
|
0.078
|
0.343
|
-0.094
|
0.459
|
-0.09 6
|
0.065
|
-0.10 9
|
0.055
|
0.0 19
|
0.744
|
n-3 fatty acids
|
0.064
|
0.046
|
-0.075
|
0.877
|
-0.036
|
0. 445
|
-0.011
|
0.72 6
|
0.099
|
0.457
|
Dietary MUFA
|
0.0 39
|
0.931
|
-0.01 6
|
0.233
|
-0.161
|
0.001
|
-0.102
|
0.001
|
0.001
|
0.733
|
Oleic acid
|
0.092
|
0.787
|
-0.0 25
|
0.582
|
-0.119
|
0.012
|
-0.096
|
0.024
|
0.0 45
|
0.564
|
Dietary cholesterol
|
0.021
|
0.355
|
0.0001
|
0.359
|
0.043
|
0.121
|
0.087
|
0.557
|
0.054
|
0.743
|
Dietary carbohydrate
|
0.008
|
0.793
|
0.0003
|
0.798
|
0.026
|
0.101
|
0.019
|
0.349
|
0.032
|
0.378
|
Dietary fiber
|
0.027
|
0.872
|
0.001
|
0.347
|
0.018
|
0.093
|
0.046
|
0.787
|
0.024
|
0.741
|
HDL-c, High density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL-c, Low density lipoprotein cholesterol; MUFA, Monounsaturated fatty acids; PUFA, Polyunsaturated fatty acids; SFA, Saturated fatty acids. |
No significant correlation was found between dietary PUFA, MUFA and cholesterol intake and serum adiponectin level (Table 4).
Bivariate correlation analysis showed a significant positive correlation between dietary SFA intake and serum cholesterol and LDL-c level. This significant relationship persisted after adjustment for age, BMI, WHR and total calorie intake (Table 4). In addition, a negative significant association was found between dietary PUFA and MUFA with serum total cholesterol and LDL-c level (Table 4). In the multiple regression analyses, dietary SFA intake showed a significant positive correlation with serum cholesterol level (β = 0.122, p = 0.011), and LDL-c (β = 0.1 35, p = 0.001) after controlling for age, BMI, WHR and total calorie intake (Table 5). In addition, dietary PUFA intake revealed a significant inverse association with serum cholesterol level (β=-0. 099, p = 0.034), and LDL-C (β=-0.10 4, p = 0.022) following adjustment for age, BMI, WHR and total calorie intake (Table 5). A significant negative correlation was also found between dietary MUFA intake and serum cholesterol level (β=-0.161, p = 0.001), and LDL-C (β=-0.102, p = 0.001) after the adjustment for age, BMI, WHR and total calorie intake (Table 5).
Furthermore, dietary Linoleic acid intake revealed a significant negative association with serum cholesterol level (β=-0.1 38, p = 0.039), and LDL-c (β=-0.056, p = 0.042) following adjustment for age, BMI, WHR and total calorie intake (Table 5).
Bivariate correlation analysis showed a significant reveres correlation between dietary fiber intake and serum cholesterol and LDL-c level. This significant relationship persisted after adjustment for age, BMI, WHR and total calorie intake (Table 4).
No significant association was seen between dietary SFA, PUFA and MUFA with serum HDL-c (Tables 4 and 5). There was no correlation between dietary SFA, PUFA and MUFA with serum TG level. However, a significant direct association was found between dietary carbohydrate and serum TG level. This relationship persists after controlling for age, WHR, total energy intake and BMI (Tables 4 and 5).