Serum cholesterol levels in selected air force cadets compared with levels in the West Point study.

In the USAFSAM Cardiovascular Disease Followup Study, the surprising rise in average cholesterol levels in West Point cadets during the 6 years following their entry into the U.S. Military Academy in 1952 implied a significant increase in risk of heart disease in later years. To ascertain whether that pattern of change suggested increased risk is characteristic of cadets at military academies, a similar study on a smaller scale was conducted on U.S. Air Force Academy cadets beginning in 1972. Randomly selected cadets were monitored throughout their 4-year training at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Mean levels of serum cholesterol were similar at the beginning and end of the study; values between those times were generally somewhat lower. Average body fat never exceeded 12.6%; the average remained close to 12% during the last 3 years. Possible reasons for the differences between the pattern of change in serum cholesterol in the West Point cadets in earlier years (1952-56) and in the U.S. Air Force Academy cadets are discussed. Differences in exercise or stress levels were ruled out as likely explanations. Changes in dietary fat intakes may account for the differences, while unidentified changes in the social environment are possible contributory factors.