In America, one out of five teenagers have dangerously high levels of cholesterol. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday that unhealthy cholesterol levels pose as a major risk factor for heart disease in adults.

The CDC said that teens on a heavier side were at a greater risk to have high cholesterol but a shocking revelation was that 14 per cent teens who had normal body weight had unhealthy cholesterol levels. Regular physical exercise and a healthy diet was needed to keep cholesterol levels normal and healthy, experts said. 

A data of 3,125 teens was analyzed for reaching to a conclusion by the CDC researchers. The data was gathered from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for 1999 through 2006.

Findings stated that about 20.3 per cent youngsters who were aged from 12 to 19 had unhealthy cholesterol levels. Boys were more likely to suffer from these levels.

Bad cholesterol clogs arteries whereas good cholesterol helps keep clogging of arteries at bay.

Ashleigh May of the CDC, who led the study, said, “The results were very concerning. It is a large proportion of the youth that have at least one abnormal lipid level. That is concerning given the long term implications for heart disease.”

Calling for regular screening of unhealthy cholesterol and lipid levels, researchers said that this would help identify people who are at a greater risk of heart disease.