<span name="style_bold">Objective:</span> To determine the average value and distribution by age and sex of total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides for a sample population of adults from Pococí, Limón and to compare the results with the values used by the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) and the criteria for Metabolic syndrome. <span name="style_bold">Materials and Methods:</span> The blood lipid levels for an adult outpatient population were obtained from the database (Labcore) of the Clinical Laboratory of the Hospital de Guápiles. For each parameter, the average value and distribution was calculated for the whole population and by sex and age. The results were compared with the values used by the CCSS and Metabolic Syndrome criteria. <span name="style_bold">Results:</span> Men present a lower average value of HDL-C, LDL-C and total cholesterol than women. The opposite was observed in the case of triglycerides. In men, it predomínates lower values of HDL-C, desirable values of cholesterol, near to the optimal values in LDL.C and the normal values of triglycerides.In women, it predominates higher values in HDL-C, desirable values of total cholesterol, near optimal values for LDL-C and the normal values of triglycerides. The group combined presents a similar profile to the men. <span name="style_bold">Discussion: </span>The lipid levels for the studied population are not optimal according to the CCSS normal parameters. Only the LDL colesterol presents a good situation, predominating optimal or near optimal values for both sexes. In men and women the age group of 18-33 years presents the best lipid profile for total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. For HDL cholesterol all the groups are similar presenting near to normal values. In men, the worst profile occurs in the group of 34-49 years for total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides. For women the worst group is the one of 50-64 years for total cholesterol and LDL-C and for triglycerides isthe goup ≥ 65 years.The lipid levels for the studied population are not optimal according to the CCSS normal parameters. Only the LDL colesterol presents a good situation, predominating optimal or near optimal values for both sexes. In men and women the age group of 18-33 years presents the best lipid profile for total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. For HDL cholesterol all the groups are similar presenting near to normal values. In men, the worst profile occurs in the group of 34-49 years for total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides. For women the worst group is the one of 50-64 years for total cholesterol and LDL-C and for triglycerides isthe goup ≥ 65 years.

Cholesterol; Triglyceride; Cholesterol; LDL; Cholesterol; HDL