ABSTRACT
Five Hundred healthy Saudi subjects aged 10-80 years [48.65 + SEM] [400 males and 100 females] were randomly included in this pilot study from Makkah area for the estimation of plasma lipids. These subjects were subclassified into four age groups with a gap of 15 years. The sample included representative groups of University students, office and executive workers, Religious leaders and the general population. Standard exclusion criteria were laid down. Blood sugar, S. createnine, urea, S. bilirubin, SGOT and SGPT were also estimated along with the lipid profile in the fasting state. The mean total cholesterol TC] and triglycerides [TC] were 191 mg/dl + 2.15 SEM and 172 mg/dl +6.125 SEM respectively. The mean high density lipoprotein [HDL cholesterol] was 41.5 mg/dl being higher in the younger age group. The study revealed that 28% of the subjects had Total Cholesterol >/- 210mg/dl [5.4mmol/L], 16% had HDL cholesterol < 35 mg/dl[0.9 mmol/L] and 35% were active smokers