According to a survey by the Society for Women’s Health Research, women under the age of 45 are four times more likely to know their high school weight than their cholesterol level.

Prenursing sophomore Jessica Kropack falls into that group. She knows her high school weight but she’s clueless when it comes to her cholesterol level.

“I don’t really worry about it,” Kropack said. “I don’t think most girls do.”

According to the study, only 21 percent of women aged 18-44 know their cholesterol level. The statistic is something the group would like to change.

“Young women need to be more aware of their cholesterol level,” said Karen Young, spokeswoman for the Society for Women’s Health Research.

High cholesterol sometimes leads to heart disease, said Jonathan Kermiet, health educator for Olin Health Center.

The study found that 48 percent of women concerned about cholesterol are trying to manage it.

Kropack, for example, says she works out up to seven days a week and tries to eat well.

“It puts you in a better mood, makes you less stressed, clears your mind and wakes you up,” she said.

While managing cholesterol is important, knowing your current level is important because genetic factors could affect it, Young said.

“They could eat lettuce all the time and still have high cholesterol,” she said. “You need something to gauge it against.”

While heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the U.S., the study found that many young women believe breast cancer is a bigger threat, Young said.

Kermiet said 43.6 percent of MSU students have had their cholesterol checked in the last five years. In a class of 300 people, about 15 percent – or 45 students – have high cholesterol.

“There’s a significant number of students who have higher than average cholesterol levels,” he said. “It’s something people should be aware of.”

Exercising and cutting foods high in saturated fat – fatty cuts of meat, bacon and egg yolk – from their diet are two steps students can take to help lower their cholesterol, Kermiet said.

“It doesn’t mean you have to cut all this stuff out, but you just have to be aware of what has saturated fat,” he said. “A lot of college students feel pretty invulnerable still … a lot of health risks they attribute to an older population.”