Contents:
- Medical Video: How to Lower Cholesterol Levels in Children
- What are the dangers of high cholesterol in children?
- Where does cholesterol come from?
- What is the difference between "good" cholesterol and "bad" cholesterol?
- Should my child be tested for high cholesterol levels?
- What causes high cholesterol levels in children?
- What can be done to help prevent children from experiencing high cholesterol levels?
- Will my child need medicine to reduce cholesterol levels?
Medical Video: How to Lower Cholesterol Levels in Children
Many people do not realize that the problem of high cholesterol levels can begin in childhood. High cholesterol levels tend to increase as children grow into adolescence and adulthood. This increases your child's risk of cholesterol-related health problems.
What are the dangers of high cholesterol in children?
Your child's body needs cholesterol to protect nerves, build cell tissue, and produce certain hormones. However, too much cholesterol damages your child's blood vessels. Cholesterol forms along the walls of blood vessels and forms fatty sticky deposits called "plaques". Research shows that plaque can begin to form in childhood. This object is easier to form when a child's cholesterol level is high.
High cholesterol levels increase your child's risk of heart disease and stroke when he gets older. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. This risk is higher in people who have a family history of heart disease, diabetes, being overweight or obese, having unhealthy eating habits, not being physically active, or smoking.
Where does cholesterol come from?
The liver produces all the cholesterol your child's body needs. They also get cholesterol from food, including animal products such as eggs, meat and dairy products.
What is the difference between "good" cholesterol and "bad" cholesterol?
Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL) is often called "bad" cholesterol. They provide cholesterol for the body. Some people's bodies make too much LDL cholesterol. LDL levels also increase by consuming foods that are high in saturated fat, trans fat, and food cholesterol.
High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) is often called "good" cholesterol. They remove cholesterol from the blood. HDL at healthy levels can help protect us from heart disease. Exercising can increase the amount of HDL cholesterol the body produces. Avoiding trans fats and following a healthy diet can also increase HDL levels.
If a person's total cholesterol level is high because of high LDL levels ("bad" cholesterol), the risk of heart disease or stroke is higher. But if a person's total cholesterol level is high because of high HDL levels ("good" cholesterol), the risk may not increase.
Should my child be tested for high cholesterol levels?
Most children do not need to be tested to see high cholesterol levels, unless there is a family history of high cholesterol or the child or adolescent has diabetes.
What causes high cholesterol levels in children?
The following are factors that can cause high cholesterol levels in children:
- Family history with high cholesterol levels (for example, parents who have high cholesterol levels)
- Lack of physical activity
- Obesity
What can be done to help prevent children from experiencing high cholesterol levels?
Help your child maintain a healthy weight by teaching him to choose healthy and physically active foods.
Here are some tips:
- Offer your child at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. For example, providing healthy snacks such as apples, bananas, carrots and celery.
- Include a lot of low-fat protein, vegetables, and whole grains in the food you make.
- Avoid saturated fats and trans fats. Saturated fats are usually found in animal products (for example, meat and eggs) and dairy products (for example, cheese and butter). Most snacks (for example, biscuits and potato chips) contain high saturated fat. Trans fats are usually found in processed foods (for example, donuts and crackers) and fried foods (for example, french fries and onion rings).
- Avoid fast food. If you eat at fast food restaurants or restaurants that are eaten on the spot, choose the healthiest food options available.
- Limit the time your child uses a TV, computer, cellphone, or game no more than 1-2 hours a day. Show a good example by limiting your own time in front of the screen.
- Encourage your child to find physical activities that he enjoys and is actively involved. Target for at least 1 hour of active play every day.
- Make physical activity part of the lifestyle of your entire family. Take a walk, go ride a bicycle, or do daily work together. Plan an event out of an active family home.
Will my child need medicine to reduce cholesterol levels?
In almost all cases, healthy eating and physical activity are the first choice for reducing high cholesterol levels in children or adolescents. If healthy eating and exercise habits don't help, your family doctor may consider prescribing cholesterol-lowering drugs. This type of medication may be needed if your child has diabetes or is overweight or obese.
Not all medicines are safe for use in children. Don't give your child cholesterol-lowering drugs that aren't specifically prescribed to him.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
