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QuickStats: Average Total Cholesterol Level Among Men and Women Aged 20--74 Years --- National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, United States, 1959--1962 to 2007--2008*

The figure shows the average total cholesterol level among men and women aged 20-74 years from 1959-1962 to 2007-2008, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. From 1959-1962 to 2007-2008, the average total cholesterol level among adults aged 20-74 years declined from 222 mg/dL to 197 mg/dL. The Healthy People 2010 objective to reduce average cholesterol levels below 200 mg/dL was achieved for men in this age group in the 2005-2006 survey and for women in 2007-2008.

* Graph points represent serum total cholesterol levels at the midpoint of the survey years for the National Health Examination Survey conducted during 1959--1962 and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys conducted during 1971--1974, 1976--1980, 1988--1994, 1999--2000, 2001--2002, 2003--2004, 2005--2006, and 2007--2008. Data were age adjusted by the direct method to the 2000 Census population estimates using the age groups 20--39 years, 40--59 years, and 60--74 years.

From 1959--1962 to 2007--2008, the average total cholesterol level among adults aged 20--74 years declined from 222 mg/dL to 197 mg/dL. The Healthy People 2010 objective to reduce average cholesterol levels below 200 mg/dL was achieved for men in this age group in the 2005--2006 survey and for women in 2007--2008.

SOURCES: National Health Examination Survey, 1959--1962; National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 1971--1974, 1976--1980, 19881994, 19992000, 2001--2002, 2003--2004, 2005--2006, and 2007--2008

Alternative Text: The figure above shows the average total cholesterol level among men and women aged 20-74 years from 1959-1962 to 2007-2008, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. From 1959-1962 to 2007-2008, the average total cholesterol level among adults aged 20-74 years declined from 222 mg/dL to 197 mg/dL. The Healthy People 2010 objective to reduce average cholesterol levels below 200 mg/dL was achieved for men in this age group in the 2005-2006 survey and for women in 2007-2008.

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Date last reviewed: 9/24/2009