No. Many people don’t realize that problems with high cholesterol levels can begin 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 for cholesterol-related health problems.
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 builds up along blood vessel walls and forms sticky, fatty deposits called “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 your child’s risk of heart disease and stroke when he or she gets older. 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, have diabetes, are overweight or obese, have unhealthy eating habits, are not physically active, or smoke.
The liver makes all the cholesterol your child’s body needs. He or she also gets cholesterol from food, including animal products such as eggs, meats, and dairy products.
Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are often called “bad” cholesterol. They deliver cholesterol to the body. Some people’s bodies make too much LDL cholesterol. LDL levels also are increased by eating foods high in saturated fat, trans fats, and dietary cholesterol.
High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are often called “good” cholesterol. They remove cholesterol from the blood. A healthy level of HDL may help protect against heart disease. Exercise can increase the amount of HDL cholesterol the body produces. Avoiding trans fats and following a healthy diet also can increase HDL levels.
If a person’s total cholesterol level is high because of a high LDL (“bad” cholesterol) level, the risk for heart disease or stroke is higher. But if a person’s total cholesterol level is high because of a high HDL (“good” cholesterol) level, the risk probably is not increased.
Most children do not need to be tested for high cholesterol unless there is a family history of high cholesterol or the child or teen has diabetes.
The following are factors that can cause high cholesterol levels in children:
Help your child maintain a healthy weight by teaching him or her to make healthy food choices and be physically active.
Here are a few tips:
More information about making healthy food choices is available in Nutrition: Healthy Eating for Kids.
More information about the importance of physical activity is available in Keeping Your Child Active.
In almost all cases, healthy eating and physical activity are the first choice to lower a child or teen’s high cholesterol levels. If healthier eating and exercise habits don't help, your family doctor may consider prescribing a cholesterol-lowering medicine. This type of medicine may be needed if your child has diabetes or is overweight or obese.
Not all medicines are safe for use in children. Do not give your child a cholesterol-lowering medicine that isn’t specifically prescribed to him or her.
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Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff