| Health Matters
Children and Cholesterol
By Pat Krimme
Do you know your child’s cholesterol level? It
was once believed that children were at little risk for developing
high cholesterol. However, over the past fifteen years, children
are becoming more at risk because of sedentary lifestyles lacking
vigorous physical activities, junk foods high in fat and sugar,
and obesity.
There is compelling evidence that adult cardiovascular
disease has its roots in childhood. The atherosclerotic process
can begin in childhood and progress into adulthood, when it frequently
leads to coronary heart disease.
Children over two should be tested if either
biological parent has or has had a cholesterol level above 240
or there is biological family history of early cardiovascular
disease. Family history includes: parent, sibling, grandparent,
aunt or uncle who experienced a heart attack, chest pain due to
coronary atherosclerosis, peripheral artery disease, or sudden
cardiac death before age 55.
Your child or adolescent should be tested if
he/she: smokes, has diabetes, high blood pressure, is obese (30%
or more overweight), or takes oral contraceptives.
| Cholesterol
Levels between 2 and 19 Years of Age |
| |
Total
Cholesterol |
LDL |
Acceptable
Borderlline
High |
<170
170-199
200 or above |
<85
110-129
130 and above |
Triglyceride
Levels |
Age
Acceptable
Borderline
High |
2 to 10
‹75
75 – 99
100 + |
10 to 20
‹85
85 - 129
130 + |
To lower cholesterol you should eat less cholesterol
and fat and more complex carbohydrates, increase physical activity,
or see a doctor about medication.
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