MESA, AZ - One in every 500 children may have high cholesterol because of genetic predisposition. But being overweight or obese also makes children at risk for high cholesterol, as well as other heart-related conditions. The past few decades have seen the emergence of an epidemic of obesity in children. As a result of this epidemic, children are now experiencing obesity-related “adult” diseases such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, which can lead to heart disease, heart attacks, or strokes as early as young adulthood.
Cardiovascular disease
Atherosclerosis, which essentially means clogging of the arteries, is caused by many factors. Atherosclerosis begins as excess fats in the blood stream cause inflammation and form a fatty streak in the arteries. Fat, and other substances in the blood, continue to build up along the fatty streak, the walls of the arteries begin to thicken, and eventually cause fibrous plaques. These plaques are the cause of blockage in the large and medium sized arteries and can become large enough to block blood flow to essential organs and muscles, including the heart. If a blood vessel that feeds the heart becomes blocked, it causes a heart attack. If a plaque blocks a blood vessel that goes to the brain, it causes a stroke. High cholesterol or high blood pressure directly leads to the progression of the atherosclerosis.
Screening for High Cholesterol in Children:
When to test children for their cholesterol level continues to be debated. At this time, The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following guidelines for screening:
• If a family member (parents, brothers or sisters, grandparents, aunts or uncles) has high cholesterol
• A family member had a heart attack at an early age
Before the age of 55 years of age for men
Before the age of 65 years of age for women
• If a family medical history is not known
For example, the child is adopted
• Overweight or obese children
• High blood pressure
• Cigarette smoking (heart risk is 4X higher if the person smokes)
• Diabetes
• Screening is not recommended until after the age of 2 years old
Normal cholesterol values:
Cholesterol values will vary depending on the age of the child and the number risk factors that that person has. Be sure to consult with your doctor for a full explanation of any blood work that is done. The following values are generally considered normal values:
• Total cholesterol: 170 or less
• Triglyceride: 150 or less
• HDL (good cholesterol): 45 or greater
• *LDL (bad cholesterol): 110 or less
*LDL levels will vary from between 100-160 depending on the number of risk factors an individual may have.
What parents can do:
Every family can promote healthy lifestyles with eating healthy and staying active whether a child has high cholesterol or not. If a child has high cholesterol, please consult with your doctor for specific recommendations. The following is information from the CDC on some specific ways to have a healthy lifestyle.
Balancing Calories: Help Kids Develop Healthy Eating Habits
To help your child maintain a healthy weight, balance the calories your child consumes from foods and beverages with the calories your child uses through physical activity and normal growth. One part of balancing calories is to eat foods that provide adequate nutrition and an appropriate number of calories. You can help children learn to be aware of what they eat by developing healthy eating habits, looking for ways to make favorite dishes healthier, and reducing calorie-rich temptations.
Encourage healthy eating habits
There's no great secret to healthy eating. To help your children and family develop healthy eating habits:
• Provide plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole-grain products.
• Include low-fat or non-fat milk or dairy products.
• Choose lean meats, poultry, fish, lentils, and beans for protein.
• Serve reasonably-sized portions.
• Encourage your family to drink lots of water.
• Limit sugar-sweetened beverages.
• Limit consumption of sugar and saturated fat.
Remember that small changes every day can lead to a recipe for success!
Look for ways to make favorite dishes healthier.
The recipes that you may prepare regularly, and that your family enjoys, with just a few changes can be healthier and just as satisfying. For new ideas about how to add more fruits and vegetables to your daily diet check out the recipe database from the FruitsandVeggiesMatter.gov. This database enables you to find tasty fruit and vegetable recipes that fit your needs.
Remove calorie-rich temptations!
Although everything can be enjoyed in moderation, reducing the calorie-rich temptations of high-fat and high-sugar, or salty snacks can also help your children develop healthy eating habits. Instead only allow your children to eat them sometimes, so that they truly will be treats! Here are examples of easy-to-prepare, low-fat and low-sugar treats that are 100 calories or less:
• A medium-size apple
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