While many incoming college students worry about gaining 15 pounds, a study released by the American Medical Association is urging them to also watch their cholesterol levels.
The AMA recently endorsed the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's report of the National Cholesterol Education Program, advising young adults to have their blood cholesterol levels checked every five years to prevent future health problems.
According to the report, the Institute's guidelines for cholesterol testing changed from screening men ages 35 and older and women ages 45 and older to include screening for all young adults starting at age 20.
Experts say earlier cholesterol screening is the key to preventing possible future health problems.
"Getting cholesterol checked as a young adult will alert those with high cholesterol levels to concentrate on healthy lifestyle changes," said Barb Troy, an adjunct assistant professor of biomedical sciences.
Physicians have become more aware of the causes of heart attacks and strokes, which is also why the AMA advocates earlier cholesterol screenings, according to Yvonne Kaminski, a registered nurse at the Johnson Community Health Center, 1230 W. Grant Street.
Cholesterol screening will become a standard part of routine checkups, she said.
The dietary choices of college students are also a reason they are encouraged to have their cholesterol checked.
"College students are notorious for what they don't eat," said Diane Dressler, a clinical assistant professor of nursing. "They should be eating five fruits and vegetables a day, and I bet that a small percentage actually does that."
However, not all cholesterol is detrimental to a person's health.
According to the AHA, high-density lipoproteins, or "good" cholesterol, work to remove excess buildup of low-density lipoproteins, or "bad" cholesterol, the main source of artery blockage. Such blockage hinders regular blood flow to the heart, which can lead to a heart attack.
There are ways to prevent the level of low-density lipoproteins from becoming too high.
Regular aerobic exercise is a proven way to lower such levels and to elevate levels of high-density lipoproteins, according to Robin Brown, a staff physician with Student Health Service.
Eating fiber-soluble foods such as oranges and brussel sprouts can also keep cholesterol numbers down, she said.
According to the AHA Web site, the body uses cholesterol to form cell membranes, some hormones and is essential for other functions.
Although the body produces all the cholesterol it needs, cholesterol is also found in animal products such as meat, poultry, eggs and dairy, according to the AHA.
"Cholesterol is not an evil substance," Dressler said. "Everyone needs lipoproteins."
The AHA recommends cholesterol levels to be below 200 milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of blood.
To help lower cholesterol, physicians suggest lifestyle changes in diet, weight management and exercise.
However, adjusting habits does not do the trick for some patients.
Doctors often prescribe patients cholesterol-lowering medication if lifestyle changes are unsuccessful, Dressler said.
She said physicians are now aware that genetics could be connected to high cholesterol. However, there is no medical evidence proving heredity causes high cholesterol levels.
Dr. Greig Glover, a physician at France Avenue Physicians in Bloomington, Minn., said the Framingham Offspring Study, which began in 1948 under the U.S. Public Health Service, measured the factors associated with the development of heart disease, including cholesterol levels. By investigating a sample of adults in Framingham, Mass., it assessed genetics as a cause for heart disease.
The theory that genetics causes high cholesterol is just an educated guess, Glover said.
"There was a strong association between people with high cholesterol whose parents have it as well," Glover said.
Andrea Natvig, a freshman in the College of Business Administration, has a family history of high cholesterol. However, she doesn't know what her cholesterol level is and has never gotten it checked.
"I eat healthy, and I exercise regularly," Natvig said. "I probably should get it checked because my grandpa has had serious heart problems."
Troy said not enough students have had their cholesterol checked by a professional.
"I often ask my classes if they know what their cholesterol levels are," Troy said. "Even in large classes, most of them do not know. If I get 10 percent to say yes, that's high."