High cholesterol can start in childhood. High cholesterol levels are likely to continue to rise as a child grows into a teen and adult. This increases your child’s risk of cholesterol-related health problems.
What are the risks of high cholesterol levels?
Your child’s body needs some cholesterol to protect nerves, make cell tissues, and produce certain hormones. But too much cholesterol damages blood vessels. It accumulates along the walls of blood vessels. This forms a fatty, sticky substance known as plaque. Studies show that plaque can begin to form in childhood. It is more likely to form when a child’s cholesterol levels are high.
High cholesterol levels increase the risk of heart disease and stroke in older children. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The risk is higher in people who:
- Have a family history of heart disease or stroke
- have diabetes
- Being overweight or obese
- Have unhealthy eating habits
- No physical activity
- Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke
Where does cholesterol come from?
The liver makes all the cholesterol your child’s body needs. The person also gets cholesterol from foods, including animal products such as eggs, meat, and dairy products.
What is the difference between “good” cholesterol and “bad” cholesterol?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is often referred to as “bad” cholesterol. They provide cholesterol to the body. Some people’s bodies make too much LDL cholesterol. LDL levels also increase when eating foods high in saturated fat, trans fat, and dietary cholesterol.
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is often referred to as “good” cholesterol. They remove cholesterol from the blood. Healthy HDL levels can help protect against heart disease. Exercise can increase the amount of HDL cholesterol the body produces. Avoiding trans fats and following a healthy diet can also increase HDL levels.
Sometimes high cholesterol levels are caused by high LDL levels. This increases your risk of heart disease or stroke. Other times, high cholesterol levels are caused by high HDL levels. This does not increase the risk of heart disease or stroke.
Should my child be tested for high cholesterol?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children 9 to 11 years of age be screened for hyperlipidemia (blood fat levels). Your child should be tested for cholesterol if there is a family history of high cholesterol. Your doctor will also recommend testing if your child or teen has diabetes.
What causes high cholesterol levels in children?
The following are factors that can cause high cholesterol levels in children:
- Family history of high cholesterol (eg, a parent with high cholesterol)
- Lack of physical activity
- Fat
The way to improve health
You can help your child maintain a healthy weight by making healthy choices. Teach him or her healthy food choices and physical activity. Here are a few tips:
- Offer your child at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day. For example, prepare healthy snacks like apples, bananas, carrots, and celery.
- Include plenty of low-fat protein, vegetables, and whole grains in the meals you make.
- Avoid saturated and trans fats. Saturated fats are commonly found in animal products (e.g., fried or fatty meats). You can also find them in dairy products (e.g. cheese and butter). Many snacks (such as cookies and chips) are high in saturated fat. Trans fats are commonly found in processed foods (e.g., donuts and crackers). They are also found in fried foods (such as french fries and onion rings).
- Avoid eating fast food. If you eat at a fast food or sit-down restaurant, choose the healthiest options available. Try a salad with a piece of grilled or grilled meat and a cup of fruit.
- Limit your child’s viewing time (TV, computer, cell phone, or game station) to no more than 1 to 2 hours per day. Set a good example by limiting your own device time.
- Encourage your child to find physical activities they enjoy and be active. Set a goal of at least 1 hour of active play each day.
- Make physical activity part of your whole family’s lifestyle. Go for a walk, bike ride or do housework together. Plan an active family outing.
Things to consider
Healthy eating and physical activity are the first choice to lower high cholesterol levels in children or adolescents. If these do not help, your GP may consider prescribing cholesterol-lowering medication. This medicine may be needed if your child has diabetes or is overweight or obese.
Not all medicines are safe to use in children. Do not give your child cholesterol-lowering medications that are not specifically prescribed for them.