High fat intake in hyperlipidaemic patients is related to male gender, smoking, alcohol intake and obesity.

BACKGROUND

In individuals at high cardiovascular risk, such as patients with hyperlipidaemia, low dietary fat intake is used to reduce this risk. The aim of the present study was to identify determinants of (saturated) fat intake in hyperlipidaemic patients.

METHODS

Cross sectional study in a lipid clinic of a tertiary referral centre. A total of 1169 patients (714 males and 455 females) with hyperlipidemia were studied. Food frequency questionnaires were present of 1026 patients. In 615 patients a detailed diet analysis was performed. The main outcomes measures were determinants of fat intake, indicated by a regression coefficient (beta-coefficient).

RESULTS

The following variables were independently related to fat intake: present smoking (beta-coefficient 3.7), male gender ((beta 1.6), familial hypercholesterolemia (beta -1.6), alcohol (beta 0.6 per glass of alcohol), body mass index (beta 0.6). No interaction between gender and smoking or between gender and alcohol intake was observed in relation to fat intake. The percentage of energy from fats were higher in males than in females, 34.2+/-8.3% and 31.7+/-8.3%, respectively (P<0.001). The higher total and saturated fat intake in males is due to a larger consumption of cheese, meat products, bread and potato products. Women had a higher relative intake of carbohydrate 48.5+/-8.7% versus 46.5+/-8.8% in males (P<0.05), due to a relatively higher intake of fruit, milk products and pastry and biscuits.

CONCLUSIONS

A specific gender-oriented approach may improve the results of dietary counselling of hyperlipidaemic patients.