Trends in Cholesterol Over 30 Years in the United States by Nativity

Trends in cholesterol in the US based on nativity status have not been researched. The objective of this study was to determine and explain differences in cholesterol levels based on nativity. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys were used to study trends (1971-2002) of cholesterol levels in US born and foreign born people. Logistic and linear regressions were conducted to adjust for complex sampling of NHANES. This study found mixed results for cholesterol levels based on nativity status that varied over time. Therefore, disparities in cardiovascular disease between foreign born and US born groups cannot be fully explained based on cholesterol levels. Further research is needed to determine what factors contribute to disparities in cardiovascular disease by nativity.