As with many different conditions, women and children may suffer or have different outcomes than men.  This is also true with cholesterol.

Women may be less susceptible to cholesterol than men.

With studies and treatment, it has been shown that the female hormone estrogen tends to raise HDL cholesterol.  Additionally, as a general rule, women have higher HDL or good cholesterol levels than men do.  In women, estrogen production is usually highest during the childbearing years.  This helps to explain why premenopausal women usually are not susceptible to developing heart disease.

Women also tend to have higher triglyceride levels. Triglyceride levels range from about 50 to 250 milligrams per deciliter, depending on age and sex. As people get older, more overweight or both, their triglyceride and cholesterol levels tend to rise.  Triglyceride levels are usually directly related to your cholesterol.

After menopause, women’s ovaries slow down their production of estrogen, which decreases HDL cholesterol and increases LDL cholesterol. Men show no mid-life changes in cholesterol.  Additionally after menopause, a woman’s key risk factors for developing coronary artery disease change.   Before, the main risk factor had been a high total cholesterol level and now her risk factors after menopause become low HDL cholesterol and high triglycerides

As relates to children, it has been shown that cholesterol levels may start rising in early childhood.  The biggest culprit for this is the learning proper lifestyle habits.  There is evidence that shows that the development of elevated cholesterol levels as a child can lead to the development of atherosclerosis as an adult.  Some other items for concern as relates to children and cholesterol include:

• Eating patterns and genetics affect blood cholesterol levels and coronary heart disease risk.
• Cigarette smoking should be discouraged.
• Regular aerobic exercise should be encouraged.
• High blood pressure should be identified and treated.
• Childhood obesity should be avoided or reduced.
• Diabetes should be diagnosed and treated.

The normal or acceptable level for an adult cholesterol level is under 200, meaning that if it is over 200, this is bad.  In children, ages 2 to 19, the total cholesterol breaks down as this:

• Acceptable — less than 170
• Borderline — 170–199
• High — 200 or greater

If a child has a family with a history of obesity, high cholesterol or heart problems, it is important to ensure that the child maintain a healthy diet and exercises regularly early on in their life.  In starting with a healthy lifestyle, the child will be better equipped later in life.