Serum fatty acids, lipoprotein (a) and apolipoprotein profiles of middle-aged men and women in South Vietnam.

In Vietnam, increasing fat consumption is a trend recognized recently in urban areas. To obtain a reasonable nutrition status and prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD), it is necessary to obtain information on habitual fat intake and biochemical parameters as risk factors for CVD in Vietnamese populations. Therefore, from the analysis of serum fatty acid composition, fat consumption patterns in Vietnamese populations in South Vietnam, with different incomes, are discussed in this study. In addition, some risk factors for premature CVD, serum lipoprotein (a) and apolipoprotein concentrations are also assessed in these Vietnamese populations. The study was carried out in men and women aged 40-59 in three different districts: urban (n = 100), suburban (n = 98) and rural (n = 98). The results of serum fatty acid composition analysis reflected differences in quality fat intake among the three populations. The urban population was estimated to consume more vegetable oil but less fish than their rural counterparts. Although serum lipoprotein (a) and apolipoprotein B levels were below the ranges associated with atherogenesis, ongoing attention to dietary fat intake for the prevention of CVD in Vietnamese populations is required.