Potential Health Risks Spotted among Younger Americans

When it comes to avoiding medical problems and high health insurance premiums that could become a problem later in life, recent statistics show that young people and their parents need to be on guard against unhealthy habits.

For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced that 20 percent of Americans aged 12-19 have an abnormal lipid level that puts them at an elevated risk for heart disease.

The study added that overweight young people were most likely to face such problems, with 14 percent of those with a normal weight having abnormal lipid levels. In contrast, 43 percent of obese youth had at least one abnormal lipid level.

The CDC noted that 32 percent of the young people in the study would be eligible for lipid screening based on guidelines set by the American Academy of Pediatrics, and that young people with a family history of high blood cholesterol and early heart disease should also be screened.

For those who are concerned about their long-term health and the cost of their future insurance premiums, there's no time like the present to get started. Some health insurance policies offer incentives for people to join gyms or participate in wellness programs, while organizations like the American Heart Association provide more information about proper diet and exercise routines on their websites.

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