Abstract
Two separate surveys were conducted in a total biracial population of children ages 8-17 years to determine the effects of cigarette smoking and oral contraceptive use on blood pressure and serum lipids and lipoproteins. Information regarding smoking habits and oral contraceptive use was obtained from detailed questionnaires. For White boys and White and Black girls, a small but statistically significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure levels for cigarette smokers when compared to non-smokers was noted. A significant increase among cigarette smokers in beta-lipoprotein cholesterol, pre-beta-lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides as well as a decrease in alpha-lipoprotein cholesterol was noted, especially for White girls. This change in lipoprotein levels for cigarette smokers was noted in both surveys. Oral contraceptive users had higher total cholesterol and beta-lipoprotein cholesterol and lower alpha-lipoprotein cholesterol than nonusers. After adjusting for oral-contraceptive use, particularly among White girls, cigarette smokers still demonstrated high pre-beta-lipoprotein cholesterol and lower alpha-lipoprotein cholesterol levels than non-smokers. These results suggest that the lipid and lipoprotein response to cigarette smoking and oral contraceptive use is to increase cardiovascular risk.