Being overweight or obese can lead to a diagnosis of high cholesterol. Cholesterol is a fatty lipid that can build up in the bloodstream and cause circulatory and heart problems. Despite being a type of fat, cholesterol itself doesn’t cause weight gain. In fact, excessive body weight is one of the leading risk factors for high cholesterol.
What is high cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in the blood. It’s made in the liver and helps your body build cells and produce hormones. Cholesterol is also present in foods. Eating too much cholesterol in your diet can raise your blood cholesterol levels.
Over time, that excess cholesterol can build up inside blood vessels. When this happens, it’s known as high cholesterol. High cholesterol makes it harder for blood to circulate, which can contribute to other health issues like high blood pressure, stroke and heart disease.
Become a patient
Our primary care team is here to give you the focused support you need.
Find a clinicYour doctor can check your cholesterol levels with a blood test. The results show several different measurements:1
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the type of cholesterol that builds up in the arteries. It is often referred to as “bad cholesterol.”
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol: High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is known as the ‘good cholesterol.” HDL is responsible for carrying LDL to the liver, where it is removed from the body as waste.
- Total cholesterol: This number is the combined amount of LDL and HDL.
- Triglycerides: Triglycerides are fats stored in the body. When you consume more calories than your body needs for fuel, those calories are converted into triglycerides. They are stored in fat cells.2
Generally, doctors recommend a total cholesterol level below 200, an LDL level below 100, and an HDL level of 60 or higher. Healthy triglyceride levels are 150 or lower.3
Does high cholesterol cause weight gain?
High cholesterol doesn’t typically cause noticeable symptoms, including weight gain. Usually, the only indication of high cholesterol is the result of a screening test performed by your doctor.
Why cholesterol and weight are often linked
While high cholesterol doesn’t cause weight gain, being overweight or obese is a risk factor for high cholesterol. Obesity is associated with higher triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels. It can also increase the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.4
The connection between increased weight and higher cholesterol levels is due to metabolic changes caused by excess weight. Being overweight or obese negatively affects how the body handles lipids such as cholesterol and triglycerides. It makes the body less efficient at removing harmful substances from the bloodstream, including bad cholesterol.
Excess fat, especially if it’s concentrated in the torso, changes how the liver processes cholesterol. Being overweight or obese can increase cholesterol synthesis. This causes higher LDL and triglyceride levels in the bloodstream. LDL then builds up in the arteries, which leads to circulatory and cardiac problems.
At the same time, changes in liver function reduce the amount of HDL in your bloodstream. HDL helps remove LDL, so reduced HDL production exacerbates the effects of higher LDL.5
Another complication is the potential for increased inflammation due to excess body weight. Chronic inflammation changes the nature of LDL particles, making them smaller and denser. These changes make it easier for the LDL particles to enter the arterial walls and restrict blood flow.6 Restricted blood flow makes it harder for your heart to pump blood, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Can weight gain increase cholesterol?
When your body weight increases, you may be at risk of higher cholesterol levels. Being overweight or obese can cause the kind of metabolic changes that cause higher LDL and triglyceride levels in the blood.
The Obesity Action Coalition estimates that every 10 pounds of excess body fat produces an additional 10 mg of cholesterol per day. Over time, this can cause a significant build-up of cholesterol and drive up your risk of cholesterol-associated health risks like high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.7
Losing 10% or more of overall body weight can greatly reduce LDL and triglyceride levels. A balanced diet low in saturated fats, combined with regular physical activity, can help with weight loss and improve cholesterol levels.8
Why weight and cholesterol matter after age 65
Excess weight can lead to increased cholesterol and other health concerns for people over 65. Older adults naturally experience muscle loss, and weight gain usually reflects increased body fat rather than lean tissue. Those weight and body composition changes can affect mobility, increase fall risk and raise the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.9
How to manage both weight and cholesterol
You may be able to sustain a healthy weight and reduce your cholesterol with lifestyle changes.
A diet that is low in saturated fats and other high-cholesterol foods can reduce the amount of LDL cholesterol in your bloodstream.10 Reduce the amount of foods you eat with high saturated fat levels, including:
- Red meat
- Full-fat dairy products
- Butter, ghee and lard
- Processed meats like bacon, cold cuts and hot dogs
- Fried foods
- Processed baked goods
- Tropical oils, like palm oil or coconut oil
Regular exercise can help with weight loss and improve the amount of good HDL cholesterol in your bloodstream. HDL can then help clear out the unhealthy LDL cholesterol, improving your overall cholesterol numbers. About 150 minutes of activity per week is helpful for weight loss and heart health.11
In addition, smoking tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to high cholesterol. Reduce or eliminate the amount of alcohol you drink each week and talk to your doctor about how to quit smoking and how much alcohol, if any, is safe for you.
Common misconceptions about high cholesterol
There are many misconceptions about cholesterol levels and who is at risk. It’s valuable to understand what your risk factors are so you can make good decisions about managing your health.
Only people who are overweight have high cholesterol.
High cholesterol can occur at any weight. Factors like family history, diet and underlying health conditions can increase your risk of high cholesterol, even if you’re at a healthy weight.
Only men need to worry about cholesterol.
Both men and women can develop high cholesterol. Women may be more likely to face rising cholesterol levels during pregnancy and menopause. Age and lifestyle can increase the risk of high
cholesterol for men and women.
Medication alone can treat high cholesterol.
Cholesterol-lowering medications can help control cholesterol levels, but they should not be the only treatment. Making lifestyle changes can improve the effectiveness of medications and reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.
When to talk to your doctor
Adults should have their cholesterol levels checked regularly. Ask you how often you should be screened for high cholesterol. You should always talk to your doctor if you have new or worsening symptoms such as heart arrhythmia, shortness of breath, dizziness and fatigue, all of which can be signs of high blood pressure or heart disease.
FAQ
Can high cholesterol slow your metabolism?
Cholesterol doesn’t slow your metabolism, but being overweight can change your metabolic functioning. Excess weight is associated with changes in liver function that make it harder for your body to remove harmful LDL cholesterol from your bloodstream naturally.
Why do weight gain and cholesterol levels go up together?
Increased cholesterol is a side effect of being overweight or obese. As you gain weight, your body undergoes metabolic changes. These changes lead to higher cholesterol levels and increased body weight.
Can losing weight lower cholesterol?
Yes! Weight loss, along with a healthy diet and regular exercise, can lower LDL and triglyceride levels.
Is it possible to have high cholesterol at a healthy weight?
Yes. There are many other reasons for high cholesterol, including a family history of high cholesterol, a diet high in saturated fats and certain health conditions or medications.
Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce your risk of high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Diet, exercise and regular medical screenings can help you maintain your weight and stay on top of your health.
Talk to your doctors about getting your cholesterol levels tested. They can help you understand your risks and offer guidance on a healthy diet and exercise routine.
Sources:
1. Information, National Center for Biotechnology, et al. What Is Cholesterol and How Does Arteriosclerosis Develop? Www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), 7 Sept. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279327/.
2. Mayo Clinic. “Can Triglycerides Affect My Heart Health?” Mayo Clinic, 3 Sept. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/triglycerides/art-20048186.
3. Mayo Clinic. “High Cholesterol – Diagnosis and Treatment – Mayo Clinic.” Mayoclinic.org, 2021, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350806.
4. CDC. “Risk Factors for High Cholesterol.” Cholesterol, 2024, www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/risk-factors/index.html.
5. Flock, Michael R., et al. “Effects of Adiposity on Plasma Lipid Response to Reductions in Dietary Saturated Fatty Acids and Cholesterol.” Advances in Nutrition, vol. 2, no. 3, 30 Apr. 2011, pp. 261–274, https://doi.org/10.3945/an.111.000422.
6. Feingold, Kenneth R, and Carl Grunfeld. “Obesity and Dyslipidemia.” Nih.gov, MDText.com, Inc., 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK305895/.
7. “Obesity and Lipid Abnormalities Fact Sheet.” Obesity Action Coalition, www.obesityaction.org/resources/obesity-and-lipid-abnormalities-fact-sheet/.
8. Brown, Joshua D., et al. “Effects on Cardiovascular Risk Factors of Weight Losses Limited to 5–10 %.” Translational Behavioral Medicine, vol. 6, no. 3, 4 Nov. 2015, pp. 339–346, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4987606/, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13142-015-0353-9.
9. Migala, Jessica. “Your Weight in Your 60s: What It Means for Your Health.” AARP, 17 May 2023, www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/health-and-weight-loss-60s/.
10. American Heart Association. “HDL (Good), LDL (Bad) Cholesterol and Triglycerides.” American Heart Association, 19 Feb. 2024, www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/hdl-good-ldl-bad-cholesterol-and-triglycerides.
11. American Heart Association. “Prevention and Treatment of High Cholesterol (Hyperlipidemia).” American Heart Association, 19 Feb. 2024, https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/prevention-and-treatment-of-high-cholesterol-hyperlipidemia
