It’s not something many parents might think about, but did you know that children as young as 10 years old could be at risk for high cholesterol? According to national survey data, one in five children in the United States between 12 and 19 live with a cholesterol level out of the healthy range. Pediatricians are even seeing more cases of high cholesterol in children due to increases in pediatric obesity, diabetes, genetic causes, and other lifestyle factors that contribute to poor heart health at an early age. There is some good news, though—you can do things to reduce your child’s risk. “It is important that parents establish heart-healthy habits for their children, as early as possible. Eating nutritious foods and encouraging physical activity are the building blocks for preventing high cholesterol and heart disease but that is just the beginning,” said Madhu Sharma, MD, a member of the RWJBarnabas Health Children’s Health Network and Director of Preventive Cardiology, at Children’s Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. To that end, RWJBarnabas Health has developed eleven ways to reduce your child’s risk of cholesterol issues in the future. Scroll down for what you need to know to keep your family healthy. (feature photo credit: istock/FatCamera)
11 Ways To Prevent Pediatric High Cholesterol With RWJBarnabas Health
1. Share your family heart health story. Your child’s pediatrician should know if a family member developed heart disease at an early age – before 55 in men and 65 in women or if either of the parents have a total blood cholesterol of 240 mg/dL or higher. These details may place your child at higher risk.
2. Start screening early. The American Heart Association recommends cholesterol screening for children as early as 9-11 years old and again between the ages of 17 – 21. For children with a family history of early heart disease or genetic predisposition to high cholesterol, screening can start as early as 2 years old.
3. Know your child’s risk factors. Factors that increase a child’s risk of developing high cholesterol include diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, Kawasaki disease, obesity (BMI at or above 95th percentile), and smoking.
4. Genetic testing may also be an option. In the United States, 1 in 250 people have Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH), a genetic abnormality that increases the risk of developing heart disease at an early age. Early screening and treatment to lower cholesterol have been proven to reduce that risk.
5. What you drink matters as much as what you eat. Children often consume several sugary beverages daily, from carbonated drinks to flavored juices. You can reduce or limit the amount of sugar in their drinks by watering down their favorite drinks or swapping them out with water or low-fat milk to help minimize empty calorie intake.
6. 60 minutes of activity a day keeps the doctor away. Aim for at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise most days to promote a healthy weight and cardiovascular health. Family activities such as family walks, bike rides, or joining local sporting teams provide a great way to stay in shape and routine movements such as walking the dog, dancing, or yoga care, which are great ways to stay active.
7. Focus on a heart-healthy diet. Strive to provide plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins in every meal while limiting saturated and trans fats.
8. Turn off the screens. Reducing your child’s time in front of a tablet, smartphone, television, or other device is a great way to support an active lifestyle. Limit screen time to no more than 2 hours a day and restrict access at night. Moving the location of a computer or television or placing phones in another room at night can help.
9. Monitor your child’s weight. Children who are overweight or obese are at a 42% higher risk of developing heart disease. Work with your child’s doctor to keep their weight in a healthy range for their age and height.
10. Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke. Exposure to smoking can harm blood vessels and increase the risk of heart disease later in life.
11. Work with a specialist if needed. A pediatric cardiologist can provide targeted care and treatment plans if your child is at risk.
Learn more about RWJBarnabas Health.
This post is sponsored by RWJBarnabas Health.
