Study: Teen Habits Put Hearts at Risk

More than 8 out of 10 U.S. teenagers have unhealthy diets, a new survey has found. About 3 out of 10 boys and more than 5 out of 10 girls don’t get enough exercise, the survey found. Nearly one-third have abnormal cholesterol levels. And similar numbers are overweight or obese. Researchers said these results show that many of today’s teens may be at risk of early heart disease. The nationwide study included 4,600 teenagers. The American Heart Association says that 7 factors lead to optimum heart health. They are a healthy diet, healthy weight, regular exercise, not smoking and having ideal levels of cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar. Only half of the teens surveyed met 5 or more of these 7 criteria. The journal Circulation published the study. HealthDay News wrote about it April 1.