Having high cholesterol is a problem that affects more and more children. Hypercholesterolemia has long since ceased to be an adult disease, but why are there children with cholesterol? Is there a genetic basis or is it the result of unhealthy habits? Both options are possible, although the second one is more frequent.
The point is that two out of ten children have high cholesterol in Spain. This implies a risk of suffering cardiovascular diseases at an early age.
The Spanish Association of Pediatrics considers high total cholesterol values higher than or equal to 200 mg / dL and LDL (bad) cholesterol values greater than or equal to 130 mg / dL. A blood test will tell us the results, although not all children are done if they do not go to the office with any other problem.
If there is an inherited disease, such as familial hyperlipidemia, diabetes or obesity, then the child's cholesterol levels will be controlled. There are appropriate treatments for each case, but you have to keep in mind that balanced diet and physical activity play an important role in cholesterol control.
Recall that an excessive amount of LDL (low density lipoproteins, or "bad cholesterol") in the bloodstream can accumulate in the walls of the arteries that reach the heart and brain. This buildup forms a plaque that can cause stiffness, narrowing or blockage of blood vessels.
All this facilitates the formation of blood clots, which if clogging an artery would cause a heart attack or stroke. Hardening of the arteries can also reduce blood flow to other vital organs, including the intestines or kidneys.
Bad habits that favor high cholesterol levels
There are three important factors that contribute to developing high cholesterol levels: diet, obesity and heredity. In the latter case, if one of the parents has high cholesterol, it is also advisable to control the levels to keep them at bay.
But high infant cholesterol is most often the result of bad habits that must be controlled. Food is largely involved, so we must know which foods are the most suitable. The food pyramid gives us a clue, but let's specify it.
There are some foods that favor more than others that raise cholesterol, for example those that have the highest content are the viscera, sausages, cold cuts, egg yolk, cured cheeses ... With a high cholesterol content are soft and fresh cheeses, prawns ...
At the other end, With a zero cholesterol content, there are fruits, vegetables, nuts, rice, pasta... For this reason and for other nutritional properties these foods are at the base of the food pyramid and are highly recommended, several times a day.
Meats and fish or milk are foods that contain a moderate or low cholesterol content.
On the other hand, sedentary lifestyle, an ally of obesity, is a bad habit that will also increase the risk of having high cholesterol. Therefore, affected people, along with feeding recommendations, are told that they have to exercise.
Prevent cholesterol in children
Given all of the above, Hypercholesterolemia can be prevented by following the following recommendations:
Try that your child (and the whole family) eat a balanced diet without saturated fats. Above we have left you the foods classified by their cholesterol content and then we give you examples.
The Mediterranean diet proposes a healthy and balanced diet with quality products typical of the Mediterranean area. Its contribution of fats comes mainly from the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids of fish, olive oils and seeds. The consumption of vegetables, legumes, cereals, vegetables and fruits is also important.
The diet proposed by the American Heart Association is also based on the previous one, it is low in cholesterol and saturated fat and high in complex carbohydrates, with many fruits and vegetables, grains ... Provides energy and protein for normal activity and growth .
Regarding the way of cooking, choose the grill or the oven rather than the fried ones, avoid the precooked ones, the fast food ... Use olive oil and drain the roast fats, cut the visible fat from the meats ...
Exercise regularly, avoid sedentary lifestyle: walking, soft running, cycling, swimming ...). Physical activity increases levels of HDL (good cholesterol) in the blood and lowers LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglyceride levels.
In short, there are more and more cases of children suffering from hypercholesterolemia, and this is due to an incorrect diet and sedentary lifestyle. Avoid these unhealthy habits and they will appreciate it. In most cases, it is possible to prevent high cholesterol in children.
