Obesity has been a pressing issue for many Americans, and not just for adults. A new study finds that one fifth of all teenagers have unhealthy cholesterol levels. This could result in heart disease later in life and cause even more pressure on the already beleaguered health care system. The issue highlights the need for health care insurance reform in order to assure that everyone gets the right and proper care.
The study, coming in wake of the health insurance reform debate, was conducted by the Center for Disease Control. It was published in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, collected data from 3,125 teenagers through the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The survey was conducted over a period of five years between 1999 and 2006.
The results were less than comforting. Teens aged 12-19 were surveyed. Of the 3,125 survey, one out of five had high cholesterol. In particular, 20 percent had abnormal blood lipid levels which a combination of so-called “good cholesterol” (HDL) or high-density lipoprotein and “bad cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Good cholesterol proved to be low while the bad were excessively high. Artery clogging triglycerides also proved too high.
The study showed differences within age, sex, weight and race. It found that more boys than girls had high cholesterol. Older teens were also more likely to have low levels of LDL or “good cholesterol”. Furthermore, white teens showed higher triglyceride levels than black teens. Many were overweight or obese.
The implications are immense for both Americans and the health care industry at large. It was previously thought that high cholesterol was a problem for middle-aged adults and the elderly. However, the study indicates that abnormal cholesterol is affecting the young at higher rates than expected.
The nation’s obesity epidemic is rampant. High cholesterol in youth could lead to heart disease and a variety of other problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and arthritis later in life especially in the obese. The problem only underscores the need for health care reform.
As it is, health insurance coverage is spotty at best. Many cannot afford it and simply do not have it. Teenagers with bad health will become adults with bad health, and the cost of caring for them will be prohibitively high. The Obama Administration’s planned health care overhaul may allow for better and more cost effective care on a national level if it gets passed.
However, Monday’s Massachusetts’ Republican win could be that the health care reform bill will not pass or be extremely stripped down. The Obama administration and fellow democrats are currently trying to reach a consensus that would appeal to both Democrats and Republicans.
Written by Lani Shadduck
HULIQ.com
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