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Good Cholesterol Levels in Children

In the past, physicians felt that children were at little risk for developing high cholesterol levels that can give rise to heart diseases and stroke until later in life. However, with an increasing sedentary lifestyle of this technologically advanced world and a diet of high-fat, obesity is on the rise. The Centers for Disease Control cited that 70 percent of a population-based sample of obese 5- to 17-year-olds had at least one cardiovascular risk factor.

  1. Lipid Profile

    • A full lipid profile will determine if your child is at risk for developing high cholesterol levels. A typical lipid profile shows the actual levels of good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein), bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein) and triglycerides. Good cholesterol sweeps the blood of excess fat and cholesterol, while bad cholesterol builds up plaque in the arteries, giving rise to heart diseases. The bulk of your child's body fat tissue is in the form of triglycerides, another class of fat.

    Healthy Cholesterol Level

    • The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) recommends that cholesterol testing begin at age 2 for those with one parent who has high blood cholesterol or have a family history of early heart disease. It also recommends screening for children with risk factors such as obesity and any child whose family history is unknown. NHLBI also provides these guidelines for cholesterol levels for children aged 2 to 19:
      Acceptable: Total Cholesterol less than 170 mg; LDL Cholesterol less than 110 mg.
      High: Total Cholesterol---200 mg or greater; LDL Cholesterol---130 mg or greater

    Keep Bad Cholesterol Level Down

    • Good cholesterol levels can be achieved through proper nutrition and an active lifestyle. Since habits are formed early in life, it is best to cultivate these habits young.
      Reduce foods with a lot of cholesterol like meat, egg yolks, butter, cheese, milk and products made from milk like cakes and sweet snacks. Instead, eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, as they don't have any cholesterol.
      Limit foods containing saturated fats and trans fat, as they can raise cholesterol levels. That include most fast and processed foods, store-bought cookies, crackers and snack cakes.

    Increase Good Cholesterol

    • Increase intake of foods with monounsaturated fats like fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, tuna), avocados, nuts and seeds, beans and unsaturated vegetables oils like olive oil. These foods raise heart-friendly good cholesterol levels which help to remove bad cholesterol from the blood, thereby preventing fatty build up and plaque formation.

    Portion Size

    • Super-sizing food portions can also lead to unnecessary weight gain. A good rule of thumb is to fill your child's plate with half a plate of vegetables, one-quarter protein and one-quarter healthy carbohydrates.

    Exercise

    • Staying physically active can help your child maintain healthy weight. According to Kidshealth.org, all kids 2 years and older should get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise at least 5 times a week. Find some activities that your child enjoys and encourage involvement---swimming, biking, dancing, soccer, baseball, even walking.

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