High cholesterol affects around 15 percent of teenagers and is, unfortunately, a growing problem. Left unchecked and untreated, the build up of cholesterol can continue into adulthood and lead to a significant increase in the risk of early heart disease. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States today. This is why teenagers with high cholesterol, and their parents, need to be aware of how to tackle the problem.

Around 1.5 percent of teenagers suffer from high cholesterol because the condition runs in their family. A cholesterol test should also be considered if there is a family history of high blood pressure. Teenagers are also putting themselves at risk of developing high cholesterol if they smoke regularly. However, the leading cause of high cholesterol in teens is obesity. Poor diets and a lack of exercise can cause a fatty build up in the arteries which can lead to severe health problems in adulthood.

To reduce the risk of your teenager developing high cholesterol, or to lower it if it has already become a problem, one of the first things you will need to do is encourage them to become more physically active. People need to aim for a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise a day, 5 days a week. If they are obese or experiencing health problems they should build up to 60 minutes of exercise most days of the week in order to improve their health.

Diet is also an important factor. The biggest culprit for high cholesterol is processed foods, so meals should be cooked from scratch whenever possible. Saturated fats, which mostly come from animal produce such as meat and dairy, and hydrogenated fats, found in some oils, should be restricted. Good alternatives to 'bad' fats are liquid margarine and olive oil.

Teenagers should also ensure they are getting their 5 portions of fruit and vegetables today as these often have properties which help lower cholesterol. Apples, pears, prunes and brussell sprouts all contain soluble fibre which breaks down bad cholesterol. Soya, oats, pulses and nuts can also aid cholesterol reduction. However, due to their high calorie content nut intake should be restricted to a handful or less a day.

If trying to lower cholesterol through diet and exercise fails to yield results after a year then medication may be prescribed. These usually work by blocking cholesterol production, increasing levels of 'good' cholesterol or reducing cholesterol absorption. As with any form of medication, these drugs can have unpleasant side effects and should only be considered if all other measures have failed.



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