Abstract
Objective:
Previous studies regarding the relationship between reproductive history and lipids have consistently shown an association between gravidity or parity and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol. However, no previous study has had sufficient power to assess the association between reproductive history and lipids among women of high gravidity. The current study evaluates reproductive history and lipids in a representative sample of Hispanic women for whom multigravidity and multiparity are common.
Design:
National examination survey designed to estimate the health and nutritional status of noninstitutionalized civilians.
Participants:
1590 Mexican-American, 411 Cuban-American, and 657 Puerto Rican women ages 20–74.
Main Outcome Measures:
HDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, and triglycerides.
Results:
Adjusted for age, body mass index (BMI), diabetes, menopausal status, alcohol use, and smoking status, HDL-cholesterol was 3.9 mg/dL lower in Mexican-American women, 3.7 mg/dL lower in Cuban-American women, and 0.8 mg/dL lower in Puerto Rican women with 6–8 pregnancies than in women with no pregnancies. In Mexican Americans, where a substantial number of women had nine or more pregnancies, this decline continued into the highest gravidity categories. Total cholesterol also declined significantly with increasing gravidity.
Conclusion:
This study extends to women with high gravidity the finding of a reduction in HDL-cholesterol as well as in total cholesterol. Whether these effects mediate the increased risk of coronary heart disease among multigravid women requires further study.
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