Not only in adults but high cholesterol can also be experienced in children. Usually, high cholesterol in children is caused by three main factors, namely heredity, unhealthy eating patterns, and obesity. Come on, find out more about cholesterol in children and how to deal with it.
Insufficient levels, of cholesterol, are actually needed to build body tissues and produce sex hormones. Conversely, if it is too high, cholesterol can cause plaque buildup in the arteries, so that blood flow to the heart is disrupted.
If not treated immediately, high cholesterol in children can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke in the future.
Check for High Cholesterol in Children
Cholesterol is divided into two types, namely good cholesterol or high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and bad cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Cholesterol levels in children are said to be normal if:
- Good cholesterol is more than 45 mg/dL
- Bad cholesterol less than 100 mg/dL
- Total cholesterol less than 170 mg/dL
High cholesterol levels in children usually do not show any special symptoms. Therefore, every child needs to have a cholesterol check from the age of 9-11 years and check again when they are 17-21 years old.
However, if a child is known to have high-risk factors, such as suffering from diabetes, obesity, or hypertension, and has a family history of high cholesterol or heart disease, it is usually recommended to routinely check cholesterol from the age of 2 years and over.
How to Overcome High Cholesterol in Children
If your little one is diagnosed with high cholesterol, you don't need to worry too much, because the main treatment for high cholesterol is simply to make lifestyle changes to be healthier.
Here are some effective ways that can be applied easily to treat high cholesterol in children:
Limit foods or drinks high in cholesterol
One of the best ways to reduce high cholesterol in children is to limit the consumption of foods or drinks that are high in cholesterol, saturated fat, sugar, and trans fats, such as cheese, milk, french fries, burgers, sausages, pizza, and popcorn.
In addition, when cooking food for your little one, you can use healthier ingredients, such as butter, olive oil, or coconut oil.
Implement a healthy diet
Teaching a healthy diet from an early age to Little Ones is also important to deal with high cholesterol in children. To implement it, Mother can provide her Little One with the following healthy food choices:
- Foods low in saturated fat and trans fat, such as low-fat milk or yogurt, oatmeal, and whole-grain bread
- Foods rich in fiber, such as beans, oats, carrots, and broccoli
- Protein-rich foods, such as fish and beans
- Fresh fruits, such as apples, grapes, oranges, and strawberries
In addition, don't forget to limit the amount of added sugar intake in children.
Invite children to exercise regularly
Exercising regularly, such as swimming, cycling, walking, or running, is also beneficial for reducing high cholesterol in children, as well as reducing their risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Therefore, encourage your little one to stay active and exercise regularly for at least 60 minutes a day.
The various ways to deal with high cholesterol in children above do not only apply to your little one, you know, Bun, but also to other family members. If the closest people apply it, it will be easier for the Little One to emulate it.
However, if Mother finds it difficult to apply various ways to deal with high cholesterol in children, they should consult a doctor to get the right solution.