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Youngsters' cholesterol levels are improving, but need more work

Category: Heart Health and Cholesterol

The cholesterol levels of children and adolescents in the U.S. have improved over the course of the last two decades, according to researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These findings may be relevant for young patients who undergo cholesterol tests.

In order to track the latest trends in the cardiovascular health of young Americans, the team of scientists analyzed health data collected during three time periods: 1988 to 1994,1999 to 2002, and 2007 to 2010. The study included information on more than 16,000 individuals aged 6 to 19 years, measuring factors such as levels of total cholesterol, good cholesterol and, among older subjects, bad cholesterol.

During the study period, the proportion of patients with high total cholesterol decreased from 11.3 percent to 8.1 percent, while the prevalence of low good cholesterol levels went from 17.3 percent to 14.8 percent. Among individuals with high levels of bad cholesterol or similar lipids, this figure fell from 27.2 percent to 22 percent.

Despite these improvements, the data indicate that more work needs to be done in order to improve the lipid profiles of all children and adolescents. Parents who are worried about their children's cardiovascular health can send for cholesterol tests.