Many people believe only adults have to worry about cholesterol but a new study shows that about 33 percent of pre-teens suffer from above average cholesterol.

"Children and teenagers could definitely have high cholesterol.  There are several factors that contribute to high cholesterol. Genetics is one of the biggest factors," said Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Corine Doho.

If you are not sure about your medical history. You should probably go get tested.

"It's very simple. It is just a blood test, but make sure to talk to your doctor about it and have that test run.  If your cholesterol is over 240 then you should have your child tested as well," said Doho. "It's part of the routine check up. Kids should be tested between the ages of 8 to 11 and again when they are teenagers when they 15 to 19 years old," she said.

If your child does have high cholesterol, Doho recommends to sit down with them and address the problem even though it maybe a sensitive subject.
"Talk to your child and see what you can do.  The number one thing is to read nutrition labels.  Eat things that are low in fat," said Doho.  "Another way is just getting up and exercising," she said.

If eating healthy and exercising doesn't work, then maybe medication is the answer.

Obese children are not the only ones who can suffer from high cholesterol. Anyone can suffer from it.

The only way to tell if you have high cholesterol is to get tested for it.  There are no symptoms in which parents can tell their kids have high cholesterol. 

James Parish, Newschannel 6