From the Guidelines
Cholesterol level is a continuous variable because it can take any value within a range and can be measured on a continuous scale.
Key Points to Consider
- Cholesterol measurements can include decimal points and infinite possible values between any two measurements, as seen in the study by Pedersen and Saltin [@15@], which reported improvements in the lipid profile following exercise.
- The most commonly used measure of cholesterol is arguably ‘total cholesterol’, a measure that includes LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol, as mentioned in the study 1.
- Blood cholesterol is typically measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or millimoles per liter (mmol/L) and can be any value within the possible physiological range, as reported in the study by Aadahl et al. [@16@].
- Unlike discrete variables that can only take specific values, cholesterol measurements are continuous, allowing for more precise analysis of the data, as noted in the study by Kesaniemi et al. [@26@].
Importance of Classification
- Understanding cholesterol as a continuous variable helps researchers select appropriate statistical tests when analyzing study results, such as the study by Ferguson et al. [@22@], which reported that 1,100 kcal of energy expenditure is required to elicit increases in HDL cholesterol that coincide with significant increases in lipoprotein lipase activity.
- This classification is crucial in statistical analysis because continuous variables require different analytical approaches than categorical variables like nominal or ordinal data, as highlighted in the study 1.
- The correct classification of cholesterol as a continuous variable enables researchers to accurately analyze and interpret the data, making informed decisions about interventions aimed at reducing serum cholesterol levels, as emphasized in the study by Pedersen and Saltin [@15@].
From the Research
Variable Type
- Cholesterol level is a continuous variable, as it can take any value within a given range and can be measured to a high degree of precision 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Characteristics of Continuous Variables
- Continuous variables can be measured to a high degree of precision, such as cholesterol levels in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or millimoles per liter (mmol/L) 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Continuous variables can take any value within a given range, and the difference between any two values is meaningful 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.