The High Cholesterol Epidemic in American Teenagers
81Typical American Meal
High Cholesterol in Teenagers
A recent medical reports reveals that many American teens are plagued by high levels of bad cholesterol. Generally considered a serious health issue for older adults who have had a poor diet, at least 20 percent of American teenagers have this serious health issue.
In this new study, published by the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the results showed that 20.3 percent of teens had abnormal 'blood lipid' levels - this includes high levels of LDL (the bad) cholesterol and low levels of HDL (the good) cholesterol, along with high levels of trigylcerides which can clog arteries.
The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey is conducted every two years to gather information about various health issues. These finding underscore a serious issue affecting teenagers and the epidemic posed by the nation's obesity problem.
It is worse than we think -
Also found is that fact that along with high cholesterol and obesity, additional serious health problems are also surfacing in teenagers. These include high blood pressure, arthritis and diabetes. An Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer at the CDC suggests that the epidemic of childhood obesity should be a matter of significant and urgent concern.
Also reported is that the First Lady, Michelle Obama, has announced plans to help lead the nation's efforts to reduce childhood obesity. During a speech to the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the First Lady called for improved nutrition, better eating habits and more physical activity.
What next? We as Americans see the devastation of poor quality processed foods that is the standard in our diet. Why do we permit it to be given to our children? Do we need more proof that poor quality foods would naturally cause poor quality health? A couple years ago, I was relaxing on an Amtrak train (yes, it was way behind schedule) and a young man said he had had a heart attack. He was 25 years old! And he was okay with it.
A Major Food Issue Remains - a problem remains however. We know the facts now about junk 'foods' and many of us are buying and eating fresh whole foods - only to find out that they are GM (genetically modified) and/or irradiated. Another hub writer made an interesting observation - the food he prepared in his restaurant, no longer had an aroma. Could this be a result of GM foods - foods created to have a forever shelf life with little or no nutritional value? It made me realize that I rarely have pleasant food aromas in my kitchen.
Do we honestly believe that flakes shaken from a box (that has been sitting on a grocery shelf forever) and into a bowl, makes up a real breakfast? And we pay top dollar for it. Wouldn't a bowl of soup, or beans and rice left over from the night before make a better breakfast?
- In America we continue to buy and eat foods that are banned in Europe and not even considered to be consumed as nutritious food in other countries (see the link blow).
- We are led to believe that we can't grow enough healthy food to feed the masses, yet Will Allen of Milwaukee created a massive farm right in the City; he got tired of seeing his community suffering a multitude of health issues from poor quality foods. Will Allen has been doing this since 1995, - and he is educating teenagers about growing and eating real foods - and he won a MacArthur Fellowship. (see link below)
I think our mantra needs to change from 'if you make it I will buy it and eat it' to 'prove to me that this stuff is healthy food.'
See many other excellent hubs by other hub writers - about food issues.
Food Banned in Europe, Why Not America?
- Foods Banned in Europe, Why Not in America?
While the European Union (EU) continues to ban or require labeling on foods that are subjected to irradiation and genetic modification, the US still thinks a ban is not necessary. The belief is that people...
The Urban Farmer: Will Allen
- A MacArthur Fellowship for an Urban Farmer: Will All...
Will Allen, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin has decided to make it his mission to bring affordable healthy food to families in city neighborhoods that generally lack quality fresh food. In 1995, he established a...
Modern living and hearing problems in teens
- Hearing Loss in Teenagers
If you find yourself screeching at your teen, and getting no response, there may be an innocent explanation; your teen may be experiencing hearing loss. There are studies that indicate about 15 percent of...
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This is alarming... 20% used to be a big number for adults not long ago. I think we should not give kids all they want to eat. I noticed kids these days drink lots of soda too. All of this should be reduced.
BK Creative, Nice informative hub! It is alarming but true! Encouraging natural healthy foods is key and lowering the number of times you eat "unhealthy fast foods"
Thank You for sharing, Blessings
Thanks msorensson - it is surely time to change some habits and demand some quality. It is interesting that I can buy American products filled with high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and partially hydrogenated oils - but those same products sold overseas cannot have those health-ravaging additives. A soda elsewhere has sugar but HFCS in America.
It is alarming Shayari - I see what is happening to children when I work as a sub - they are so heavy and way too many are diagnosed with ADHD and are on toxic drugs. American soda does not even have sugar in it. It is high fructose corn syrup which has been cited time and time again as being directly related to the obesity epidemic. We do have to change our idea of what a 'snack' food is.
It is alarming DeBorrah K. Ogans - we are the adults and have to effect the change here. We have to be the teachers. Yes, less junk and more healthy eating.
Thanks for commenting!
I know a teenager girl who has high cholesterol, but she is very thin. It was shocking to find that out and for the most part she eats keeps a very healthy diet. It must be more than just the junk food. I think it's all this over processing and additives, etc., etc., in our food. But still it's good to raise awareness. Thanks BKCreative!
It is unbelievable the health problems young people already have. Thank you for a very good hub.
I agree totally with you. America's prosperity has produced a nation of obese people. This is a nation of super-sized foods--mostly processed and loaded with additives to promote shelf life. Even our fresh produce (especially fruits) taste like cardboard. You made a very good point--our foods don't smell like natural foods and so do the flowers(they have lost their fragrance--something that really annoys me) we buy from the supermarket. All genetically programmed to survive their days on the aisle, with no real health benefits.
Keep up your interesting observations.
Hello Ann Nonymous - you raise a good point - you do not have to be obese to have high cholesterol - even slim people can have a heart attack and other health issues related to bad cholesterol. It's interesting now that this is part of a checkup for teens because it is so likely to occur.
I often wonder Hello, hello why so many young people collapse while playing sports. It should not happen. You have to wonder about the underlying cause.
And the flowers too anglnwu - I used to love to bring home a bouquet to make the house smell good - but that no longer happens - the last time I had sweet smelling roses and lilacs is when they were growing in my garden. We do promote the concept of super-sizing here. We are bent on massive quantities with little or no quality - that's the selling point - get more for your money, but it is no good so you are really not getting your money's worth.
Thanks for the comments!
genetically modified is a NO NO, arhritis? oh arent they are still too young? I am glad you did a well researched hub about health among the youth -- obesity kills, Thanks a lot BK, Maita
What's so sad too BkCreative, is that at times the junk food seems to be more affordable and more readily availble than the food that is good for you. Yet, I think if you really put your mind to it, and found frugal ways to shop, you can eat healthy and still save money. In the long run, you we wouldn't have all of these expensive hospital bills over issues we could have prevented or avoided all together. Thank you so much for another great reminder of how pertinent it is to ensure that our children are eating and living healthy.
Yes, prettydarkhorse, our young are now afflicted by these diseases. The hubber above, Ann Nonymous said she knew a slim person affected with high cholesterol - and just yesterday the Mayo Clinic released the results of a 9 year study saying it's what's happening on the inside that is also affecting us despite our weight - they labeled it "Normal Weight Obesity" - we can't eat whatever we want and think because we are exercising the weight off that we are fine - internally the bad fat is building up.
It does seems like the junk is cheaper Veronica Allen - you get so much for your money, but maybe if we think of it as non-foods we won't think it's a bargain because we need real food. I'm happy to say that in my neighborhood right here in NYC - so many foreign people have opened restaurants with their native cuisine - comparable to the cost of McDonald's - so McDs went out of business. Giving the choice the community overwhelmingly chose to eat better quality food. There are still many healthy choices - but we are after all the consumer nation - sell anything to us and we will buy it, unfortunately. Sigh!
Thanks for commenting!
Isn't it a terrible commentary on our society that we have so much and we are still so stupid? I find this so hard to 'digest' myself - I was in the dentist's office not too long ago and these HUGE and I mean HUGE teens came in with their mother (who was very big also). The hygienist proceeded to rip them up one side and down the other for all to hear about their diet. They had cavities coming out their ears (not really but might as well have had) and it was terribly depressing to me to hear them complaining about it. Then she launched into them about their weight and did they know what kind of set-up they were giving themselves for life. The mother became furious - I couldn't believe the whole scene myself. I wanted to stick my old lady neck out and say 'honey - she's trying to save your babies' lives - shut up!' but held my tongue. Sad commentary to see so much obesity but especially in children. Don't we know better than this? The high cholesterol is just another byproduct and I guess when they start having MI's at the age of 25, they may get it but it may be too late. Okay - off my soapbox....great, great hub!
Love your soap box akirchner - we need to hear these stories. There was a recent debate about whether a mother should be held on criminal charges because her 12 year old son weighed 500 lbs. I mean it - 500 lbs. I commend the hygienist at your dentist's office because she spoke such truth. At medical checkups - I read that doctor's are now supposed to measure the waist and counsel if there is obesity but it seems like that is not being done. I don't know how so many obese children are getting OK checkups. Well, akirchner it seems, as you suggested, I will join you as we may have to get out there to the supermarkets and check what parents are purchasing. Of course our non-food industry has to be held accountable - however, they are not. Sigh! Our work is not done.
I am very concerned about diet and all the junk that teenagers like to eat. I know we are what we eat and parents are responsible for thier kids, but at the same time it is kinda like the ultimate sellout for the FDA to allow all this to continue. In one sentence the government wants to provide health care for everyone; But lets not address or talk about what is causing the problems in the first place. Thank you for this great article
I so agree with you Coolmon2009 - we are beating up on ourselves, jogging our lives away, joining gyms, taking diet pills, yet the garbage remains on our market shelves - and the manufacturers assume no responsibility. This has to be a partnership, there has to be clean, healthy, whole foods or the obesity epidemic will continue - how cruel it is to blame children when the media deliberately markets this junk to them, when schools provide it for lunch - when it is allowed to be labeled as 'food' - although the nutritional value is suspect.
Thanks so much for writing!
Awesome Hub! This is so disturbing because it is so true. It's so sad that we live in a world where parents would rather cram fast food french fries in their child's mouth instead of healthy food. My grandmother raised me and my snacks were raisins, apples and carrots and those are the kind of food I grew up loving. If you don't eat something constantly you don't miss them when they're gone. It's no wonder obesity is such a problem in America along with other disease issues. This is such a well written Hub on such a great topic that REALLY needs attention!
Thanks so much herbivorehippi - it's kind of startling to look around and see that we are no longer a fat nation but a seriously and morbidly obese nation - we are no longer 20-30 pounds overweight but 100, 200 pounds - and even more and much of this is young people.
I think we are in such bad shape now that we have no choice but to do something about this issue. It is no longer just a few people but millions.
I appreciate your comment!
Can you imagine arthritis in teenagers, something almost unheard of in the past, when schools cooked nutritious meals in working school kitchens. But what is the real solution to this? Perhaps we should campaign for more fully working kitchens in school, where real meals are prepared.
Interesting that the restaurant owner said his food had no aroma, never thought of that, but in hindsight I don't really enjoy aromatic food fragrances when I eat out. Really great hub.
Wouldn't it be great, fastfreta, to have real school kitchens with real cooks? In Korea when I saw that the children were getting 5 course meals of real foods for lunch - a Korean colleague explained that Korean mothers work hard providing healthy foods and they are entitled to know that their children are getting a healthy meal at school. Wouldn't it be nice if we were so entitled?
And that thing about no-aroma food in a restaurant just freaks me out. I ate out with my son and DIL on Sunday and we all ordered different foods. Not only did I NOT smell an aroma wafting from the kitchen but I did not even smell the food when it was put on the table! Didn't hot food used to have an aroma? And aren't we always told that just smelling good food helps sate us?
I'm going to have to go lay down awhile and think about this. Hmmmm.
Cholesterol is a normal component in the blood. It is one of the key substances in the metabolism of the body. However, it can be harmful if found higher than the normal needs of the body. It causes plaque through fatty deposits in the linings of the arteries, by attracting calcium compounds making them thick, stiff, and inelastic.
Blood circulation is impaired and the dangers of having hypertension, heart disease, diabetes will be hard to recover.Reducing both cholesterol and fats content in our diet helps. I know, I'm a diabetic on regular check up for cholesterol and sugar in the blood.
Hello Lita C. Malicdem - speaking of healthy cholesterol there was a time we were told not to eat eggs because they have cholesterol - well they're supposed to. We were also steered to margarine. I read recently, that teenagers and even younger will now be checked for cholesterol levels.
Thanks for your input!
People in America do have a very poor diet considering the resources for food. We go for what is fast, easy and tasty to us instead of what is healthy. Over time, increased awareness will change this, with the help of hubs like this one. Thank you!
You're welcome Paradise7 - I'm seeing such a big change - it's like we are all on the same page suddenly and are effecting change in any way we can. Just being aware seems to be enough. We're getting information from so many sources now. I'm glad. Thanks for commenting!
Great hub and I am not afraid to say how our government seems to want us dead, it is ridiculous, in every way we turn, it really makes me mad, we need to start shouting at them. We the people..what a laugh.
Love your comment Pollyannalana - in fact when I visited another hubber's column he wrote about how the US was culling - getting rid of people and it seems we are becoming expendable. I like how you put it so bluntly - maybe that will help wake us up - because this bad junkfood is truly killing us - and if it doesn't quickly enough well the toxic medicine to cure the results of this bad food surely can. Yes, it's on us to effect change.
Thanks so much for commenting!
This hub has a multitude of information...far too much to comment on the whole writing...Parents are responsible for what their kids eat..the schools contribute to poor dietary health, fast foods. commercials, BK McD, Kentucky Fried...gee, fat, fat, fat...yet this is where people let their children eat, and they themselves devour it....
Then contributing factor is the amount of drugs kids use which literally eat their bones hence early arthritis, bone loss, and they do it because of peer pressure. I think more parents need to concentrate on not only health issues, but also find Christian activities for after school and weekends....activities which promote good living and healthy eating. No we cannot change the way most people live...it's too easy....noone would even consider making oatmeal in the AM, too time consuming...and the FDA is certainly not helping with their lack of teaching people to eat healthy.....
You see,.this is an excellent hub, which raises many questions about the true reasons children are obese...but it is not only children....Great hub!!!
And the government making it a crime to say anything healthy, herbal etc can cure you of anything, well I can tell you I am allergic to blood pressure medicine, for years they have tried me on so many I just said no more,blood pressure meds would shoot it up to 220/128 or so every time I tried it and ER says if you cant take BP med they cant help you!? I take care of myself studying and trying all I can to stay alive and I am certainly better taking care of myself I can tell you. Pain I have almost erased completely, no flu or colds in years and the blood pressure is almost under control and of course I can't say how, but soon I will not need a doctor for anything I am sure. Oh sorry I got off the children subject, its just the word government gets me crazy, lol.
Thank you Wealthmadehealthy - I'm glad you had much to say. Comments are so important. Working as a sub I've met so many parents that are so comfortable saying that their child has ADHD - it seems to be well accepted - then the child is labeled as 'disabled' and is placed on a chemical medication. I've never known so many children to have so many ailments as I am seeing now in the schools. But the poor quality lunches continue. Our children do need more activities. When I lived in S. Korea when the children left school they all went on to another school, be it an English or Math Academy, Piano, and even after that, other enrichment programs - they had a full, full day. Our children are pretty much relegated to TV. There is so much to say about this topic - thanks so much for your input.
Good for you Pollyannalana - nothing is more valuable than a personal experience. It seems for a while there everyone was being put on high blood pressure meds - but shouldn't we find the cause so it can be prevented? Meds only suppress symptoms they don't heal. Of course much of our processed food has the cheapest and most damaging form of sodium - not the healthy sea salt which would be too expensive. One woman I know simply got tired of taking the meds and told her doctor she wanted to know why she had the problem - he couldn't tell her. So she decided it was time to take control of her health. She said she started walking, eating less, eating whole foods, always a breakfast, less fast foods, and above all ended a stressful relationship. She's fine.
Oh, here's a story, the column by Dr. Mercola said that when doctors went on strike, I think in was in NJ, deaths declined dramatically. They are not nutritionist or healers. It seems they are only good for writing prescriptions.
Thanks so much for commenting!
BK, very good information here. It seems that we all know what's good and bad for us but somehow we cannot manage to get the bad out of our habits. I believe too that the government should set more strict limits for genetically modified foods or the use of pesticides on plants or antibiotics on animals.
We, as a world, are in a big change mode and our lives are different almost every year. But that should be no excuse.
Personally (as I'm not very good in the kitchen) I found very challenging to prepare a healthy meal after 8 hours at work and one more on the road, with some other little tasks to do before 12 o'clock at night. If I could only find a way to do the healthy dinner in 45 minutes!
thanks for reminding us to pay attention to our meals.
I know what you mean cameciob - it would be great if we could grab some healthy foods and keep on going. I think we would all benefit from more fresh whole foods but...sigh!...there lies the problem - it is no longer fresh - it is likely GM, has been around forever, and has no nutritional value. Ah, but we are a creative bunch, we'll find a way!
Thanks for commenting!
Yes, the modern life style has made bad impact to our youngsters. But I still have hope with our Asian way of living, at least we still consume grains like rice as main food and make some mix and match fast food with fibers. For instance, my daughter loves nuggets like in Japanese Fast food, so I've made it myself and add vegetables like spinach or carrots inside the nuggets, the veggie will blend anyway, and she will never recognize it, just wondering what is that, but she ate it anyway :) Thank you for this hub, Bk :)
Thanks for writing febriedethan! Snacking for children when I lived in S. Korea was so different. The children loved cherry tomatoes, and seaweed in a pack (like potato chips here), and real foods sold off of hot food carts. And sharing was always part of the culture. If there was a banana it would be left unpeeled then sliced and everyone got a piece. Rice was extremely important but it was superior to any rice sold on the supermarket shelves here in the US. It was excellent.
We just have to think differently here and reject junk for what it is and not allow it to be called 'food.' It should be nutritious to be called 'food.'
Thanks for commenting.
Thanks for writing this. The more people read about cholestrol, it is better. We need constant reminders about health in this world of King size burgers and french fries. Yes, teen cholestrol is a big issue. Kids need to follow a good diet and exercise plan and it is a duty of parents to show them the right choice of food and educate them.
Take a cholestrol quiz in my hub http://hubpages.com/_win/hub/cholestrol-knowledge-
You're welcome and thanks so much for your input Ten Blogger. We as parents do have to get totally involved - as there is no one else to protect the health of our children - it is totally on us.
I'll check out your cholesterol hub.
I hope a lot more people read this. It is a scary thing for our children's future... and so easily avoided.
Thanks for the Hub.
Good point HealthyHanna - this is something we can avoid and teach our children about nutrition in the meantime. I know many parents are trying and the difference is showing. But then you send them out to school and all the junk manufacturers are waiting for them with the cheap cakes and potato chips and sodas.
Thanks for writing!
Proper food orientation should start from parents and pass the knowledge to their children. There are sub-branches of the Department of Health that caters in extending help to help families observe proper food diet and food selection that are nutritious to their children. Fast food items are tempting but we shouldn't let our children avail the junky foods frequently. Thanks for this hub, BkCreative.
You're welcome travel_man. As parents we are totally responsible for educating our children about health. Thanks for commenting!
It's sad that some teenagers are plagued with high cholesterol. My mom has high cholesterol. She doesn't like the prescribed medication they give her so she takes fish oil pills. As for food, I love growing my own garden. We always make a big one and can our own foods. That way we know exactly whats in it. Thanks for the great informative hub. I learned a lot from it.
You're welcome nancy_30 - high cholesterol is epidemic in adults also - most of just don't know it or are in denial. When I had a garden it was the tastiest food ever - what a pleasure a garden is. I hope the fish oil is working for your mom - it is a better alternative to toxic meds.
Thanks for writing!
I remember a conversation with a friend from Spain several years ago. He talked about American beef and eating it while he visited here. He talked about how thick and juicy it looked but that it had no flavor. I think he was on to something. Monsanto and such companies need to be revealed to the public for some of their dangerous practices; they truly have control over most of the food made available to us. There will always be those who deny all of this...but the facts are pretty clear.
Thanks mulberry1 - your input is so appreciated. I can think of food from my garden of many years ago - just no comparison to what we are eating. And traveling aboard - the food is so good and so satisfying - and ah the aroma - which is missing from our foods. Aroma is supposed to be one of the ways to be sated and we are not getting that.
One friend came from Korea for two years in a Master's program and went back to Korea a fat woman - after more than 40 plus years of being slim.
Monsanto is not interested in good health or the name would be blasted all over the media. Profit is the name of the game.
very useful info thanks
Thank you Lgali! Your comments are always appreciated!
The foods that they are promotiong to help reduce Cholesterol are oats and flax seed
Both are great Juliet Christie - especially the flax seeds which I keep on hand. Thanks for the input! Flax seeds are so easy to add to the diet!
Really interesting - but scary. I'm starting to feel like there are so many problems out there that it's hopeless. Not a good attitude, I know but........
Such a great attitude nadp - because it makes us 'food aware' and we'll do something about it. It is overwhelming but I am seeing change - honestly! I can actually find fresh food that tastes good and even has an aroma. And on the "Simpson's" - it was a whole episode talking about BPA and high fructose corn syrup, etc. Wow! Food Awarness!
It is so disturbing that our teenagers and children of America are fueling their bodies with garbage. Who's to blame? Well, mostly the parents for not instilling proper eating habits. These teenagers were probably fed happy meals their whole childhood as well. Sickening!
So true GreenThumbLady - we are the first line of defense against all the toxic food out there. I just read a report that the food in school meals is so inferior that it should not exist - but it does. One positive thing is the new youth farmers market that opened in my neighborhood - it's local teenagers doing all the selling - as a result they are learning about real food - they are so good with the tips and suggestions. We have to do this - otherwise they think food looks like a can of something. Also schools are including gardens - bravo.
Thanks so much for commenting.
msorensson Level 3 Commenter 2 years ago
It is rather difficult to change eating patterns and preferences.
This is why obesity is such a major concern in the US. We associate eating with other activities, mostly watching television.
To change a habit, we need to look at what activities we associate it with and get rid of that association.
Then we really need to spend the time...looking at what is in front of us.
Yes, we can buy the hamburgers and the french fries, but we don't have to eat all of it.