Univ. of the Sciences Helping Its Students Fight High Cholesterol
By Lynne Adkins
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- One local university is taking an opportunity this month, National Cholesterol Education Month, to urge its students to pay attention to the dangers of high cholesterol.
High cholesterol can lead to heart disease and stroke, and studies show that up to 11 percent of college-age students have high cholesterol, according to Karin Richards, interim chair of the department of kinesiology at the University of the Sciences.
She says screenings and health fairs are helping them get the word out and helping them get students to make lifestyle changes that will help.
"Diet and exercise, eat fruits and vegetables," she suggests. "And also a big one too is sleep. And that can be hard for college students as they run around going to class, trying to study, trying to have a social life, and balance it all. But sleep is a big thing."
She says if students can make healthy choices as young adults, those habits may last a lifetime.
