Canada. 41% of adults have a high cholesterol level

New data from the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) show that 41% of Canadian adults had a high total cholesterol level. In addition, 4% of Canadians aged 6 to 79, or just over 1.1 million people, were considered vitamin D-deficient.

These findings are included in the second data release from the CHMS, which collected key information about the health of Canadians by means of direct physical measurements. The CHMS tested blood samples of participants for a number of lipids, which are a class of fats that include cholesterol and triglycerides, and for vitamin D and other nutrition markers.

Lipids (cholesterol levels)

High levels of total cholesterol increase with age. About 27% of adults aged 20 to 39 had high levels of total cholesterol from 2007 to 2009. This percentage increased to 47% among those aged 40 to 59 and 54% of those aged 60 to 79.

Lipids are a class of fats, or fat-like substances, which includes cholesterol and triglycerides. There are two types of cholesterol. "Good cholesterol" (high density lipoprotein or HDL cholesterol) helps to prevent the narrowing of arteries. "Bad cholesterol" (low density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol) can lead to cardiovascular disease.

About 36% of adult Canadians had unhealthy levels of LDL cholesterol, while 30% had unhealthy levels of HDL cholesterol. Unhealthy levels of LDL cholesterol generally increase with age, but peaked at 43% among adults aged 40 to 59.

Overall, about 25% of Canadian adults had unhealthy levels of triglycerides. This percentage also increased with age, from 17% among adults aged 20 to 39 to 34% among the age group 60 to 79.

About 36% of Canadians aged 20 to 79 who did not have a healthy level of good cholesterol were obese, compared with 16% of those with a healthy level of good cholesterol. Unhealthy levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and bad cholesterol were generally associated with higher measured hypertension.

Vitamin D: Most Canadians have adequate concentrations
About 5% of men and 3% of women aged 6 to 79 were considered vitamin D-deficient. The highest prevalence of deficiency occurred among men aged 20 to 39, about 7% of whom were considered vitamin D-deficient.

Vitamin D is a nutrient that helps the body use calcium and phosphorus to build and maintain strong bones and teeth. When it is deficient, the body absorbs very little calcium. Deficiency in children can cause nutritional rickets, a condition that results in soft bones and skeletal deformities. In adults, low levels of vitamin D can cause osteoporosis.

The survey found that the vast majority (90%) of Canadians aged 6 to 79 had concentrations of vitamin D in their blood that were considered adequate for bone health.

Conversely, 10% or roughly 3 million people had concentrations considered inadequate; of these, 1.1 million were considered vitamin D-deficient. Men were more likely than women to have inadequate concentrations.

For both sexes, levels of vitamin D followed a U-shape by age group: highest among children and seniors, and lowest at ages 20 to 39. Levels tended to be higher among women than men.

A factor associated with lower concentrations was, for some people, darker skin pigmentation. This is because it is more difficult for people with darker skin to get adequate vitamin D through sun exposure. White ethnic origin tended to be associated with higher levels of concentration of vitamin D.

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