Abnormal Cholesterol in Children and Adolescents: United States, August 2021-August 2023

This report provides the most recent prevalence estimates of abnormal blood cholesterol in children and adolescents ages 6-19 and describes changes in prevalences over time.

Cholesterol, anthropometry, and demographics data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for 2013-2014 through August 2021-August 2023 were used for these analyses. Phlebotomy sample weights were used to estimate prevalence, and confidence intervals were estimated using Taylor series linearization. Statistically significant differences in prevalence estimates by age, sex, and weight status were tested using a t statistic at the p < 0.05 level, and trends were evaluated using linear regression models.

During August 2021-August 2023, 16.5% of children and adolescents had at least one measure of abnormal cholesterol (high total cholesterol, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], or high non-HDL-C). The prevalence of at least one abnormal cholesterol measure was lower in girls (13.6%) than in boys (19.2%) and lower in those with underweight or normal weight (10.3%) or overweight (11.5%) than in those with obesity (35.8%). The prevalence of at least one abnormal cholesterol measure decreased between 2013-2014 (21.3%) and August 2021-August 2023 (16.5%).