It’s no secret that children are facing more health problems than ever before. Childhood obesity is causing increases in diabetes rates as well as higher blood pressure. A health issue that is just coming to light in the wake of the other problems is increasing cholesterol levels in children. The best way to address it is preventing the problem before it happens.
Dr. Kathleen Hurwitz, a pediatrician in Murrieta, said 7 percent to 19 percent of all children have elevated cholesterol levels.
Causes of these high levels include childhood obesity, diet and genetics.
10 ways to lower your child’s (and your own) cholesterol
1. Have the cholesterol levels of both you and your child checked.
2. Read labels so that you can limit cholesterol and saturated and trans fat intake.
3. Eat healthy snacks that are low in fat and cholesterol, such as fruit, raw vegetables and low-fat dips, plain unsalted popcorn or pretzels, and low-fat yogurt and gelatin.
4. Replace some meals of red meat with poultry, fish, beans, peas, lentils or tofu soy products.
5. Stay away from butter or stick margarine.
6. Limit intake of commercially prepared baked goods and treats.
7. Avoid soda and sugary fruit drinks.
8. Pack healthy lunches and teach children to pick the healthiest items in their school cafeterias or vending machines.
9. Get plenty of exercise.
10. Make controlling your cholesterol levels and living healthier a family affair.
Source: kidshealth.org
Hurwitz said, “Parents need to set examples through their own commitments of healthy diet and exercise to their children. Children mimic what they see.”
High cholesterol, in adults and children alike, can create a multitude of long-term health issues, including coronary artery disease. Developing this disease increases your risk for heart attacks and strokes when plaque builds up on your artery walls and keeps blood from flowing efficiently to the heart.
In order to prevent high cholesterol or help lower elevated levels, Hurwitz said parents should encourage children to eat five servings of vegetables and fruits a day. They should also limit low-fat milk intake of children over the age of 2 to 24 ounces per day.
“Parents should make an effort to encourage children to eat meats that fly or swim,” Hurwitz said. Meats such as fish and poultry typically have lower cholesterol content than red meats.
“Obesity and high cholesterol can affect children significantly as they develop into adults. The social stigma of being overweight as a child can last a lifetime both psychologically and medically,” Hurwitz said.
Contact Susan Gill at sgill@PE.com or 951-368-9568.
Your liver makes enough cholesterol for healthy body function. It produces about 1,000 milligrams of cholesterol a day. The rest comes from the foods you eat.
Although vegetables, fruits, and grains don’t have any cholesterol, the following foods from animals do: egg yolks, meat poultry, seafood, whole-milk dairy products (including milk, cheese and ice cream)
Should I Worry About My Child’s Cholesterol?
Three major factors contribute to high cholesterol levels:
Diet: A diet high in fats, particularly saturated and trans fats, which are common in baked treats and commercial snack products
Heredity: Having parents or a parent with high cholesterol
Obesity: Related to diet and lack of exercise
Other risk factors for coronary artery disease include high blood pressure, smoking and diabetes mellitus.
If your child is active, eats healthy foods, doesn’t have a family history of high cholesterol and isn’t overweight, you probably don’t have much cause for concern.
Recommended levels
Cholesterol levels in children and adolescents, 2-19 years old
Total cholesterol (mg/dL)
Acceptable: less than 170
Borderline: 170-199
High: 200 or greater
LDL cholesterol (mg/dL)
Acceptable: less than 110
Borderline: 110-129
High: 130 or greater
Source: American Heart Association, www.americanheart.org
