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S T Halfon

Publications and source records attributed to S T Halfon.

34 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Plasma lipids and lipoproteins in adult Jews of different origins: the Jerusalem Lipid Research Clinic prevalence study.

Plasma cholesterol, triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured in a cross-sectional sample of 6,952 middle-aged Jerusalem residents in 1976-79, using the protocols and methods of the North American Lipid Research Clinics (LRC) prevalence studies. There were highly significant variations between groups of Jews of different origin. Age-adjusted levels of total cholesterol were about 10 mg/dl higher in European- and Israeli-born men and women than in immigrants from North Africa or Asia. TG levels showed a similar pattern in men, but the reverse in women. HDL-C levels were 2 to 4 mg/dl higher in European- and Israeli-born women than in female immigrants from Asia or North Africa. In men there was little variation of HDL-C by origin, but males showed significant ethnic differences in the proportion of HDL-C in total cholesterol, while females did not.

Adult↗

Plasma cholesterol, triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels in 17-year-old Jerusalem offspring of Jews from 19 countries of birth.

The distribution of plasma cholesterol, triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) was examined in 6,654 17-yr-old young men and women who attended an army medical examination. There were highly significant differences among the four main groups, classified according to their father's place of birth: Israel, the Asian Near East, North Africa and Europe (including the Americas, Oceania and Southern Africa). Mean levels of plasma cholesterol in each group varied in males from 126.9 to 137.4 mg/dl, TG from 72.1 to 77.8 mg/dl and HDL-C from 41.3 to 44.4 mg/dl. In females, the cholesterol levels ranged from 144.6 to 154.8 mg/dl, TG from 72.7 to 76.3 and HDL-C from 47.3 to 50.5 mg/dl. In the various groups, subjects of North African origin consistently had the lowest lipid values, and subjects whose fathers were born in Europe or Israel, the highest. When the subjects were classified according to their fathers' specific country of origin, mean cholesterol values ranged from a low of 126.2 mg/dl in Moroccan males to a high of 143.0 in Austrian and Swiss males, and from 137.6 mg/dl in Tunisian females to 161.6 in those whose fathers had emigrated from North American countries. HDL-C ranged in males from 40.0 mg/dl in the Egyptian group to 47.0 in the Austrian-Swiss-Lichtenstein group; in females, the values ranged from 46.0 mg/dl in the Algerian group to 53.4 in the Austrian-Swiss-Lichtenstein group. These findings are discussed in light of published reports of lipid and lipoprotein levels in individuals living in different countries.

Adolescent↗

Nutrient intake in Jerusalem--consumption in 17-year-olds.

The food intake of 17-yr-old Jerusalem residents was assessed in a random sample, including 627 males and 551 females, by a 24-h dietary recall method. The intake of energy in boys and girls was lower than the recommended energy intake for this age, but the intake relative to body weight was low only in girls. In boys and girls, the intakes of fat relative to energy were 32.4 and 33.7%, respectively; those of saturated fatty acids (SFA) (9.8 and 10.5%) were lower and those of carbohydrates (53.9 and 52.5%) were higher than intakes found in other Western countries. The P:S (polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids) ratio of their diets was high and ranged from 0.79 to 1.29 in various sex and origin groups. Intake of cholesterol per 1,000 kcal was similar to that in Western countries. There were marked differences in nutrient intake of subjects whose fathers had immigrated from different countries. Boys whose fathers were born in Israel or Europe had higher intakes of fat and cholesterol, and both boys and girls had a higher intake of SFA and a lower intake of carbohydrates and starch as well as a lower P:S ratio than did their counterparts whose fathers were born in Asia and North Africa. Thus, the nutrient intake of youngsters in Jerusalem differs markedly from that of populations in other Western countries.

Adolescent↗

Nutrient intake in Jerusalem--consumption in adults.

During 1976-80, nutrient intake was assessed in a cross-sectional sample of 1,589 middle-aged Jerusalem residents (1,028 males and 561 females) using the protocols and methods of the North American Lipid Research Clinics (LRCs) Prevalence Studies. All subjects were parents of 17-yr-old youngsters studied previously. Energy intake in both males and females was lower than the recommended energy intake for this age-group. Intake of fat relative to energy in males and females was 32.1 and 34.0%, of saturated fatty acids (SFA) 10.0 and 11.0%, and of total carbohydrates 50.2 and 49.9%, respectively. Cholesterol consumption was 210 and 238 mg/1,000 kcal in males and females, respectively. The mean polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids (P:S) ratio of the diet was 0.95 in males and 0.84 in females. There were marked differences in the nutrient intake of subjects of different ethnic origin. Subjects from Israel and Europe consumed more total fat and SFA and less total carbohydrates than did their counterparts from Asia and North Africa. Consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PFA) was highest in subjects from Israel. The P:S ratio of the diet was highest in the North African group, followed by the Israeli group, and lowest in subjects from Europe. The highest sucrose intake was found in subjects from North Africa and the highest cholesterol intake in immigrants from Europe. Nutrient intake of Jerusalem adults differed markedly from that of populations in other Western countries.

Adult↗

Cigarette smoking and its relation to anthropometric characteristics and biochemical variables in Jerusalem 17-year-olds and adults.

The relationship of weight, height, Quetelet index, hematocrit and blood levels of thyroxine, globulin, bilirubin, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, uric acid, alkaline phosphatase and glucose to smoking was studied in a Jerusalem population sample of youngsters aged 17 yr and their parents. Among youngsters, male smokers had a higher body mass index than did male nonsmokers. In adults, both men and women smokers were slightly leaner than ex-smokers and, in women, smokers were clearly leaner than those who had never smoked. Generally, the associations of smoking with the biochemical variables were weaker in youngsters than in adults. In men, lower mean levels of creatinine, bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase and uric acid were observed among smokers. Hematocrit levels were somewhat higher in both young and adult smokers of both sexes, being more so in adults. Smokers showed consistently lower globulin levels than did nonsmokers. Plasma glucose levels were somewhat lower in youngsters of both sexes who smoked. Serum thyroxine levels were slightly increased in female smokers, suggesting a hormonal effect of smoking. These findings are discussed in light of the published literature.

Adolescent↗

Plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in 17-year-old Jewish residents of Jerusalem: a preliminary report. The Lipid Research Clinics Program Prevalence Study.

Preliminary data on plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in 2565 teenage Jerusalem residents attending a military medical examination were analyzed. Mean HDL cholesterol levels were highest among male and female subjects whose fathers had immigrated from Europe and the Americas and lowest in those of Asian and of North African origin. Second-generation Israelis ranked intermediate between the Europeans and the other two groups. Total cholesterol levels were lowest in teenagers of both sexes whose fathers had come from North Africa, highest in subjects of European and of Israeli origin and intermediate in the Asians. Triglyceride levels were also lowest among North Africans of both sexes, but the Asian and Israeli groups had higher mean values than the Europeans. These findings show that patterns of lipid and lipoprotein levels previously observed in adult immigrants persist in a generation of native-born Israelis.

Adolescent↗

Epidemiologic aspects of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in Israel.

Rheuamtic fever and rheumatic heart disease are still important public health problems in Israel. Rheumatic fever is a seasonal disease, more common during the cold months of the year. A high incidence of rheumatic fever followed the immigration waves of the 1950s, in contrast with a decline in new cases over the last 10 years among both Jews and non-Jews. In the same period (1950s to 1975), a decline in the numbers of hospitalized patients was also reported. After 1970 mortality rates of rheumatic fever dropped to zero. The prevalence of rheumatic heart disease has declined in children, as shown in school studies, but in adults, a different trend is seen. The number of hospitalized patients has increased, in parallel with the increasing population, to more than 3,000 hospitalized patients per year. While a plateau curve is seen in the mortality rates of males of all ethnic origins studied, among females there is a slight decline in mortality. The discrepancy between the decline in occurrence of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in children and the increase in prevalence of rheumatic heart disease in adults is explained by the massive immigration from countries with a high prevalence of rheumatic heart disease.

Adolescent↗