Factors influencing serum cholesterol levels of Central American children. II. The effect of gross dietary changes

S CIIOOL children of low income families in Guatemala have been found to have much lower serum cholesterol levels than those from upper income groups. ’ Nevertheless, in all socioeconomic strata average serum cho-lesterol levels at birth are closely similar and very low compared to those of school chil-dren.: Since serum cholesterol differences among Socioeconomic groups are marked by the time children have reached school age, it would appear that environmental factors are primarily responsible. In previous experiments3 the low serum cholesterol levels of rural children were not influenced by the simple addition of animal protein or of three different types of fat to the habitual diets. In the present study, in order to investigate the effect of more extensive dietary changes on their low serum cholesterol levels, children from families of low socio-economic status were given diets similar to those consumed among upper socioeconomic groups in Guatemala