To analyze total cholesterol, the manual technique of the enzymatic colorimetric reaction was used with the com- mercial enzymatic reagent Cholesterin/Cholesterol Chod- Pap (MPR2, Boehringer-Mannheim, Germany). Readings of standard cholesterol levels of 50 mg/dL, 100 mg/dL, 200 mg/ dL, and 400 mg/dL were performed with the Preciset Choles- terol Calibrator 125512 (Boehringer-Mannheim, Germany), and the final value was the mean of the 2 measurements per- formed for each plasma sample 20. To analyze HDL-choleste- rol (HDL-c), the heparin-Mn2+ precipitation method by Gildez was used with some adaptations. The lipoproteins containing apolipoproteins B-100 (VLDL and LDL) were pre- cipitated according to the heparin-Mn2+ precipitation method (Sigma Chemical Co, USA) and then incubated and cen- trifuged (refrigerated centrifuge, RB-1811 Model, Tomy Seiko Co. Ltd, Japan). The floating material was then collected for quantification of HDL-c particles through the colorimetric en- zymatic reaction for cholesterol; the mean of 2 measurements for each plasma sample was considered the final value 20. The LDL-c value was obtained with the Friedewald formula for tri- glyceride levels below 400 mg/dL. Samples with triglyceride levels above 400 mg/dL were excluded 21.

In addition, complementary clinical examinations were performed and structured interviews were applied to detect cardiovascular risk and morbidity.

The following 3 clinical parameters were used for obe- sity: body mass index, waist/hip ratio, and percent body fat (% fat). Considering that none of those parameters alone can efficiently indicate levels of obesity, individuals who were classified as obese in the 3 parameters were considered obese, as were those classified as obese in at least 2 para- meters and overweight as established according to the bo- dy mass index. Body mass index was obtained with quanti- fication of weight (kilograms) and height (meters) with a mechanical scale (Filizolla, São Paulo). Then, the body mass index was calculated by dividing the weight in kilograms by the square of the height in meters squared (kg/m2). The waist/hip ratio was obtained by measuring the minimum ab- dominal circumference (measured in meters at the level of the iliac crest) and the maximum abdominal circumference (measured in meters at the level of the greater trochanter). Then, the waist/hip ratio was calculated by dividing the mi- nimum abdominal circumference by the maximum abdominal circumference. Percent fat was obtained with fat quantifi- cation by electrical bioimpedanciometry. For this quantifi- cation, the elderly had to be in the supine position. Accor- ding to the body mass index (BMI) classification, individuals ‡ whose BMI was 30 were considered obese, and those whose BMI was between 25 and 30 were considered over- weight, for both sexes. According to the waist/hip ratio, fe- males whose waist/hip ratio was above 0.8 cm were conside- red obese, as were males whose waist/hip ratio was above 1.0 cm. In regard to % fat, individuals of both sexes whose fat measured above 30 % were classified as obese 23.

The manual technique of colorimetric enzymatic reac- tion was used for triglyceride quantification with the com- mercial enzymatic kit Labtest TG Gpo-Ana (Argentina). Readings of standard triglyceride levels of 150 mg/dL and 300 mg/dL were performed with the Preciset Trigliceride Cali- brator 125512 (Boehringer-Mannheim, Germany), and the fi- nal value was the mean of the 2 measurements performed for each plasma sample 20. Levels above 200 mg/dL were consi- dered increased. Table II shows the reference values of total cholesterol, LDL-c, HDL-c, and triglycerides 21.

Lipoprotein(a) levels were obtained with the Boehrin- ger nephelometric system (Boehringer Nephelometer 100); the kit of N antiserum against human apolipoprotein(a) and the kit of N Latex Lp(a) reagent were used. Lipoprotein(a) levels above 30 mg/dL were considered increased 20. For glucose level determination, the colorimetric enzymatic method was performed using the Bio Diagnóstica ICQ Ltda

In regard to systemic arterial hypertension assess- ment and classification, the criterion of the III Consenso

tion factors for the mean alcohol content according to stan- dard measures for wine, beer, and hard liquor (standard drink) adapted from suggestions of the Serviço de Atenção ao Alcoolismo e Drogadição do Ministério da Saúde 16. Ac- cording to these suggestions, the alcoholic content of wine was estimated at 11% with 140 mL (1 glass) as a standard measure; the alcoholic content of beer was estimated at 4% with 350 mL (1 or 2 cans of beer equivalent to 1 bottle) as a standard measure; and the alcoholic content of the hard liquor was estimated at 45% with 35 mL (equivalent to 1 drink) as a standard measure 27.