This study was one of only a few studies to look at lipoprotein subfractions in Adventists. They found the HDL cholesterols to be 42.3 in Adventists as compared to 46 in non Adventists. The LDL cholesterols were 125.1 in Adventists and 134.0 in non-Adventists. Though the ratio between the HDL and LDL levels was similar, the differences in levels of the component lipoproteins were highly statistically significant. The risk meaning of this lower level in vegetarians is unknown.
Some controversy surrounds the risk factor of high blood pressure in vegetarians.
However, both Adventist and non-Adventist vegetarians probably experience a reduction of 4 to 5 millimeters systolic and 2 to 3 millimeters diastolic, considered to be a relatively minor difference. The risk factor of little or no exercise has not been studied to any great extent in Adventists. In Adventists, the responses were 2.38 times per week and the non-Adventists said 1.5 times per week, or one third less. In this case, the difference in exercise habits was highly statistically significant. The risk factor of obesity has also received very little attention in Adventists.