It is pretty common knowledge these days that high cholesterol in adults is an indicator of increased risk of heart disease and other illness, but a surprising number of children, ages 10 – 17, also suffer from high cholesterol. In fact, it could be the most under-reported health issue they face, since it is uncommon for physicians to routinely screen kids for high cholesterol. Knowing if and when to ask your child’s doctor about cholesterol screening can greatly reduce his/her risk of bigger health problems later in life.
There are two primary types of cholesterol: HDL, or high density lipoprotein, and LDL, low density lipoprotein. A lipoprotein is a combination of a lipid (essentially, a fat) and a protein produced by the liver, which is basically the way the lipid travels through the bloodstream. LDL carries lipids to the heart, muscles and other organs. Too much LDL can cause a build-up of plaque in the arteries over time, leading to increased risk of heart disease and stroke. For this reason, LDL earned the nickname “bad cholesterol”. HDL, the “good cholesterol” carries lipids from tissues and organs back to the liver for recycling. Children in families with a history of high LDL should be screened, as heredity is a primary contributing factor in occurrence of high cholesterol. Also, while obesity, itself, is not an indicator of the presence of high levels of LDL, a poor diet contributes to the likelihood of cholesterol increase.
If your child is diagnosed with high cholesterol, diet should be the first thing you look at. Seek to lower consumption of saturated fats and trans fats (the kinds that the body stores instead of using for fuel), and balance nutritional levels. Making sure that your child gets plenty of aerobic exercise, like biking, swimming and walking, is another way to ensure that elevated cholesterol levels in childhood do not lead to increased health risks in adulthood.
Tweet This Post