Associations of Diet and Lifestyle with Hyperlipidemia for Middle-Aged and Elderly Persons among the Guangxi Bai Ku Yao and Han Populations

Abstract Background There are fifty-six ethnic groups in China. Han is the largest group and Bai Ku Yao is the isolated subgroup of the Yao minority. Little is known about the difference in the prevalence of hyperlipidemia between the Han and other minority groups in the rural areas. Objective The aim of this study was to compare the associations of diet and lifestyle factors with hyperlipidemia for middle-aged and elderly persons between the Guangxi Bai Ku Yao and Han populations. Design This is a cross-sectional study. A total of 485 subjects of Bai Ku Yao and 501 subjects of Han Chinese ethnicity aged 40 years and older were surveyed by a stratified cluster random sampling technique. Methods Information on demography, dietary intake, and lifestyle factors was collected by standard questionnaires. Blood pressure, height, weight, waist circumference, and serum lipid levels were measured, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated as weight (kg) divided by height (m) squared. Results The prevalence rates of hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperlipidemia in Bai Ku Yao and Han were 19.59% vs 36.13% ( P P >0.05), and 28.45% vs 43.11% ( P P P Conclusions The prevalence of hyperlipidemia was significantly lower among ethnic Bai Ku Yao than among ethic Han individuals, which might mainly be attributed to the more favorable dietary patterns, lifestyle choices, and physical activity levels in the former ethnic group.