Abstract
Fundamental studies on the assay procedures and the fluctuations of the serum cholesterol were made. Subsequently, total serum cholesterol levels were measured in 434 healthy farmers from 13 to 69 years in rice-producing districts with a high frequency of cerebral hemorrhage and the findings were compared with those from the urban laborers and office workers. The total cholesterol levels obtained in this district were relatively low and this was presumed to be primarily due to their low fat intake. In the males, age 40-49 years, the mean cholesterol level of the farmers was nearly same as that of the urban laborers, but significantly lower than that of the urban office workers. The proportion of obesity in the farmers was smaller in comparison with that in the urban people and the cholesterol levels of the fatter of the farmers and the laborers were similar to those of the office workers with normal body weight.
