According to a study carried out by Unilever Fruit d’Or pro activ, the French seem to have rather in-depth general knowledge about cholesterol (92% of them are able to differentiate between the different types of cholesterol) but in what concerns, their knowledge becomes more blurred. If 7 in 10 know what a good cholesterol level is, only 4 in 10 know their own cholesterol level.
For one in two French people, it is the occurrence of a major health problem (a heart attack or a stroke) that causes a real awareness of the importance of properly managing their cholesterol level.
Cholesterol: not easy to control
A recent study found that seeing life on the bright side lowers cholesterol levels. Researchers believe optimists simply tend to eat more balanced foods and watch their weight. Overweight and bad eating habits are indeed one of the main risk factors for hypercholesterolemia. The other risk factors are high blood pressure, sedentary lifestyle, tobacco or familial hypercholesterolemia.
According to the Unilever Fruit d’Or pro activ study, 60% of those questioned would like to adopt a different lifestyle but they have difficulty modifying their lifestyle, especially when it comes to practicing physical activity ( 29%) or change their eating habits (24%).
