HHS HealthBeat (April 15, 2010)

Kids and cholesterol

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Cholesterol problems are pretty widespread in America. In fact, a study indicates even kids have them. The research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found about 20 percent of teenagers had at least one abnormal cholesterol reading. Researcher Ashleigh May says the numbers were higher for overweight or obese teens.

If cholesterol problems continue, they can raise the risk of heart disease and related conditions in adulthood. So May says:

"The first line of defense for youth would be to modify their lifestyles; physicians would recommend changes in diet such as lowering fat intake, increasing fruits and vegetables, increasing physical activity, as well as weight management." (14 seconds)

The study is in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: November 21, 2011