Three cross-sectional examinations had been carried out: 1) 1972-1973; 2) 1980-1981; and 3) 1988-1989. The study examined the predictors of change in total cholesterol (from examination 1 to examination 3, and change in LDL-C, HDL-C, and triglycerides between examinations 2 and 3. It also investigated the stability in several health habits and behaviors such as cigarette smoking, alcohol use, adherence to a low fat/low cholesterol diet, and physical activity. Weight gain and oral contraceptive use had been shown in previous analyses to be strong predictors of several lipids and lipoproteins.