Learn About High Cholesterol in Kids: Facts & Tips to Lower Cholesterol

Learn About High Cholesterol in Kids: Facts & Tips to Lower Cholesterol
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High Cholesterol in Kids

High cholesterol not only affects adults, it also affects kids. Although they are most likely to show no signs or problems, excess cholesterol can build up in their arteries and, as they get older, lead to heart disease and stroke.

According to autopsy studies, more than half of children ages 10-14 had fatty accumulations in their coronary arteries and children as young as 3 years old have been found to have fatty streaks.

Risk Factors & Diagnosis

Kids most at risk of getting high cholesterol include those with a family history of high cholesterol, high blood fats, or premature heart disease, those who are obese, and those who eat unhealthy foods. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, not all children need to be tested for cholesterol unless they have risk factors. Kids under the age of 2 should not be screened (or put on a low-cholesterol diet).

Tips for Lowering Cholesterol Levels

Avoiding foods high in cholesterol is not necessarily the answer to controlling your child’s cholesterol levels. In fact, some foods high in cholesterol, like eggs, offer a lot of health benefits.

Many studies now suggest it is unhealthy fats, and not cholesterol, that affects cholesterol levels most.

For kids over the age of two, 30% (or less) of their daily calories should be from fats. Saturated fats should be less than 10% and dietary cholesterol should be under 300 milligrams a day (children at risk should be less than 7% and under 200 milligrams). Trans fats (including hydrogenated oils) should be avoided.[1]

Only animal tissue contain cholesterol. Plants do not. Foods with cholesterol include meat, poultry, seafood, egg yolks, and dairy products. Liver, eggs, and shrimp are foods especially high in cholesterol. Animal products are also high in saturated fats. White-fleshed fish tend to have the lowest amounts of cholesterol and saturated fats.

Fiber is an important nutrient in ridding cholesterol from the body via the intestines. Foods high in fiber include whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, and vegetables.

Eating a variety of healthy foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight can help prevent high cholesterol in kids.

References

[1] Web MD: Cholesterol Management Guide

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