QuickStats: Prevalence of High Total Cholesterol* Among Adults Aged ≥20 Years,† by Age Group and Sex — National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2015–2018

Weekly / June 5, 2020 / 69(22);690

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The figure is a bar chart showing the prevalence of high total cholesterol among adults aged ≥20 years during 2015–2018, by age group and sex, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. During 2015–2018, the prevalence of high total cholesterol among adults aged ≥20 years was 11.4%26#37;, with no significant difference between men (10.5%26#37;) and women (12.1%26#37;). Prevalence was highest among adults aged 40–59 years (15.7%26#37;), followed by those aged ≥60 years (11.4%26#37;), and lowest among those aged 20–39 years (7.5%26#37;). Among men, the prevalence was highest among those aged 40–59 years (14.5%26#37;), followed by those aged 20–39 years (9.5%26#37;), and lowest among those aged ≥60 years (6.0%26#37;). Among women, the pattern was different, with women aged 20–39 years (5.5%26#37;) having a lower prevalence than either women aged 40–59 years (16.9%26#37;) or women aged ≥60 years (15.9%26#37;). Prevalence among women aged 20–39 years was lower than that among men in this age group, but prevalence was higher among women aged ≥60 years than it was among men of that age group. There was no significant difference between men and women for adults aged 40–59 years.

* Defined as serum total cholesterol ≥240 mg/dL.

† Estimates for the category of persons aged ≥20 years were age-adjusted by the direct method to the year 2000 U.S. Census population using the age groups 20–39, 40–59 and ≥60 years. Estimates are presented with 95% confidence intervals indicated by error bars.

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During 2015–2018, the prevalence of high total cholesterol among adults aged ≥20 years was 11.4%, with no significant difference between men (10.5%) and women (12.1%). Prevalence was highest among adults aged 40–59 years (15.7%), followed by those aged ≥60 years (11.4%), and lowest among those aged 20–39 years (7.5%). Among men, the prevalence was highest among those aged 40–59 years (14.5%), followed by those aged 20–39 years (9.5%), and lowest among those aged ≥60 years (6.0%). Among women, the pattern was different, with women aged 20–39 years (5.5%) having a lower prevalence than either women aged 40–59 years (16.9%) or women aged ≥60 years (15.9%). Prevalence among women aged 20–39 years was lower than that among men in this age group, but prevalence was higher among women aged ≥60 years than it was among men of that age group. There was no significant difference between men and women for adults aged 40–59 years.

Sources: Carroll MD, Fryar CD. Total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in adults: United States, 2015–2018. NCHS Data Brief, no 363. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db363.htm. National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2015–2018. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes.htm.

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Reported by: Margaret D. Carroll, MSPH, mdc3@cdc.gov, 301-458-4136; Craig M. Hales, MD.

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Suggested citation for this article: QuickStats: Prevalence of High Total Cholesterol Among Adults Aged ≥20 Years, by Age Group and Sex — National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2015–2018. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69:690. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6922a5.

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