Recent research links cholesterol levels in young adults to changes in lifestyle between childhood and adulthood.
Recent research links cholesterol levels in young adults to changes in lifestyle between childhood and adulthood.
Previous research had looked at whether blood fat levels, such as cholesterol and triglyceride levels, remain steady from childhood to adulthood. Although previous studies found that youth levels correlate well with adult levels, they have shown that a substantial proportion of youth with high-risk levels will not have high-risk levels in adulthood and that a substantial proportion of adults with high-risk levels had normal levels as youth.
Researchers from Australia looked at the cholesterol and triglyceride levels in 539 people, both in childhood and as young adults: levels were measured in 1985 when the participants were 9, 12 or 15, and again between 2004 and 2006, when they were in their 20s and 30s.
Using established cut-off points, they found that substantial proportions of individuals with high-risk blood lipid and lipoprotein levels at baseline no longer had high-risk levels at follow-up. Those who continued to have high levels were more likely to have gained body fat and either started or continued to smoke.
Those who went from low risk in childhood to high risk as adults were also more likely to have gained body fat and become less fit, it was found. The findings are important for two reasons. First, they suggest that beneficial changes in modifiable risk factors (smoking and adiposity) in the time between youth and adulthood have the potential to shift those with high-risk blood lipid and lipoprotein levels in youth to low-risk levels in adulthood. Second, they emphasize that preventive programs aimed at those who do not have high-risk blood lipid and lipoprotein levels in youth are equally important if the proportion of adults with high-risk levels is to be reduced.
Previous research had looked at whether blood fat levels, such as cholesterol and triglyceride levels, remain steady from childhood to adulthood. Although previous studies found that youth levels correlate well with adult levels, they have shown that a substantial proportion of youth with high-risk levels will not have high-risk levels in adulthood and that a substantial proportion of adults with high-risk levels had normal levels as youth.
Researchers from Australia looked at the cholesterol and triglyceride levels in 539 people, both in childhood and as young adults: levels were measured in 1985 when the participants were 9, 12 or 15, and again between 2004 and 2006, when they were in their 20s and 30s.
Using established cut-off points, they found that substantial proportions of individuals with high-risk blood lipid and lipoprotein levels at baseline no longer had high-risk levels at follow-up. Those who continued to have high levels were more likely to have gained body fat and either started or continued to smoke.
Those who went from low risk in childhood to high risk as adults were also more likely to have gained body fat and become less fit, it was found. The findings are important for two reasons. First, they suggest that beneficial changes in modifiable risk factors (smoking and adiposity) in the time between youth and adulthood have the potential to shift those with high-risk blood lipid and lipoprotein levels in youth to low-risk levels in adulthood. Second, they emphasize that preventive programs aimed at those who do not have high-risk blood lipid and lipoprotein levels in youth are equally important if the proportion of adults with high-risk levels is to be reduced.
COMMENT
DoctorNDTV is the one stop site for all your health needs providing the most credible health information, health news and tips with expert advice on healthy living, diet plans, informative videos etc. You can get the most relevant and accurate info you need about health problems like diabetes, cancer, pregnancy, HIV and AIDS, weight loss and many other lifestyle diseases. We have a panel of over 350 experts who help us develop content by giving their valuable inputs and bringing to us the latest in the world of healthcare.
