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Cardiovascular disease risk factors and diet of Fulani pastoralists of northern Nigeria^1,2,3

¹ From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, and the Department of Individual Family and Community Education, School of Education, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque; the Department of Paediatrics, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria; and the TriCore Reference Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM.

Background: The Fulani of northern Nigeria are seminomadic pastoralists who consume a diet rich in saturated fats, do not use tobacco, are lean, and have an active lifestyle. Little is known about their serum lipid profiles and corresponding risk of cardiovascular disease.

Objective: We measured serum lipid, homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B-12 concentrations in Fulani men and women and assessed the nutrient content of their diet.

Design: Blood samples from 42 men (18–64 y old) and 79 women (15–77 y old) living in the Jos Plateau of Nigeria were analyzed for cholesterol (total, HDL, and LDL), triacylglycerol, homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B-12 serum concentrations. Body composition was determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Dietary information was obtained with use of a 7-d dietary recall and a food-frequency questionnaire. Results were compared with US referent ranges.

Results: The mean energy content of the Fulani diet was relatively low (men, 6980 kJ; women, 6213 kJ) and the mean protein content was high (men, 20% of energy; women, 16% of energy). Nearly one-half of energy was provided by fat, and one-half of that was derived from saturated fatty acids. The diet provided marginal to adequate amounts of vitamins B-12, B-6, and C but only one-third of the US recommended dietary allowance for folate. The mean total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and triacylglycerol concentrations of Fulani adults were within the referent ranges; the mean LDL-cholesterol concentration of Fulani adults below the range; and the mean serum homocysteine concentration of Fulani men above the range. Homocysteine and folate concentrations were inversely correlated for both men and women.

Conclusions: Despite a diet high in saturated fat, Fulani adults have a lipid profile indicative of a low risk of cardiovascular disease. This finding is likely due to their high activity level and their low total energy intake.

Key Words: Cardiovascular disease risk factors • serum lipids • LDL cholesterol • HDL cholesterol • homocysteine • serum folate • Fulani • Nigeria • food-frequency questionnaire • dietary recall

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