PHOENIX-With childhood obesity levels on the rise in the U.S., more experts are looking at how to prevent high cholesterol in youth to help avoid serious health problems later in life.

Obesity increases the risk of developing high cholesterol, which can lead to heart disease and stroke, two of the nation's leading causes of death.

One way to prevent unhealthy levels of cholesterol in adults is by preventing it in childhood, said Dr. Michael Domanski, a cardiology specialist and professor of medicine at the University of Maryland.

"High cholesterol early on stays with you," he said. "It's a tru...