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Urban/rural differences in red blood cell fatty acid composition, plasma lipids and diet in Melanesian Fijians.

OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to compare red blood cell (RBC) fatty acid composition, plasma lipids and lipoproteins and dietary intake between urban and rural Melanesian Fijians.


DESIGN
A cross-sectional study was performed in a random subsample (n = 154) from a total survey population of 589 subjects.


SETTING
Melanesian Fijians living in the relatively urban settlement of Nabua, Suva and On the remote island of Qamea (rural) were studied.


RESULTS
The proportions of myristic acid (1.4% versus 0.3%, P < 0.001) and arachidonic acid (10.1% versus 11.4%, P < 0.01) were significantly higher and proportions of oleic acid (14.4% versus 13.2%, P < 0.05) and linoleic acid (11.9% versus 8.1%, P < 0.001) were significantly lower in RBC from rural compared with urban men, and a similar pattern was seen in women. Plasma cholesterol levels were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the rural subjects. Urban/rural differences in plasma cholesterol levels were not significant when the proportion of RBC myristate was taken into account.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that consumption of myristic acid from coconut fat is greater and the intake of linoleic acid is less in Fijians living on a remote island and may contribute to their higher plasma cholesterol levels compared with their urban counterparts.