Adolescents' perception of high blood cholesterol

Abstract

High blood cholesterol is one of the major factors in circulatory disease, which is responsible for 40% of deaths in Malta (Public Health Report-Malta 2002). The knowledge of how to avoid hypercholesterolemia can lead to a healthier lifestyle, and accurate perceptions from a young age can further reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease at a later age. The aim of this study was to discover adolescent's perceptions of high blood cholesterol. A descriptive exploratory research design was used, and questionnaires were distributed to 17 male and 17 female adolescents from two different schools for a total of 34 subjects. The data collected showed that the majority of the participants perceive cholesterol as excess fat in the blood; however there were several mixed perceptions as to what causes high blood cholesterol, the origins of cholesterol, and the different types of cholesterol. Ways to deal with high blood cholesterol such as attention to diet and exercise were mentioned several times, however most respondents said that they can improve their lifestyle in regards to these factors, especially if they had more accessible ways for knowledge on this condition.