Is Your Child at Risk of High Cholesterol?

It came as a surprise to me that my daughters both had slightly elevated lipid levels. They had just started a medicine (for autism-related sleep issues) that carried a risk of elevating cholesterol levels before we had the test done. I don't think that the medicine alone could have caused the high levels in just a week or so.

Since then, I've been learning about cholesterol. I guess I never thought much about it, since my children aren't overweight and they are fairly active. I also didn't really know what "elevated lipids" meant.

According to the Mayo Clinic, "Cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per deciliter (dL) of blood..." Basically, the higher your overall cholesterol level, the more cholesterol will be found floating around in your blood stream. When you think about lipids, or fat, travelling through your bloodstream and all over your body it is kind of gross. Of course, you need some cholesterol. But like most things, cholesterol is only good in moderation. The body produces some of the cholesterol it needs to function and relies on the diet we eat to provide the rest.

According to the Mayo Clinic, here are the levels of total cholesterol and what they mean:
Below 200 mg/dL is desirable
Between 200-239 mg/dL is Borderline high
240 mg/dL and above is High.

There are two different types of cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). LDL is often referred to as "bad cholesterol" and HDL is called "good cholesterol". This is because elevated LDL levels can lead to heart disease.

Triglycerides are a type of fat that can contribute to the hardening of arteries (atherosclerosis). Atherosclerosis increases the risk of many conditions, including stroke, heart attack, and heart disease. Elevated triglyceride levels may be more common in kids than elevated cholesterol due to the contributing factors.

The Mayo Clinic lists the following potential factors for high triglycerides: Simple carbohydrates, such as sugar and foods made with white flour; saturated fat (high in red meat and pastries/cakes); trans fat (some products labeled as "trans fat free" may actually contain a small amount of trans fat--in the US, if a serving of the product has less than half a gram of trans fat they can still call the product trans fat free--check the ingredients for partially hydrogenated oil--the source of trans fat--to be sure that the product doesn't contain trans fat); and lack of exercise.

Unfortunately many kids eat too many simple carbs, junk foods, and don't get enough exercise. Convenience foods, including pre-packaged frozen meals, are often high in fat, sodium, and cholesterol. At first glance some frozen meals seem pretty healthful, but when you read the nutrition label you may be surprised. Look out for meals that have lots of cheese, red meat, or creamy sauces, as all of these items are high in fat.

The only reason my daughters were tested was because we needed a baseline for what their cholesterol and triglyceride levels were like before being on the medication for a few months. Since the tests came back I've cut back on snack foods (chips, frozen pizza, cookies, chocolate) and virtually cut out all red meat. Some alternatives that I've found for my kids are: turkey bacon (about half the fat of regular bacon), low fat pizza, chex mix, and home made cookies (with lots of fiber, very low fat, and sugar substitute). Still, these foods are treats, not everyday snacks and meals.

For meals I've been trying different recipes from heart healthy cookbooks I've found at the library. It's hit or miss with my kids, as they are picky eaters, but I've found a few recipes they really enjoy.

If your child is on a medication for bipolar, ADHD, or autism you may want to discuss cholesterol and triglyceride issues with your doctor. Not all medicines increase these, but many medicines affect appetite and energy levels which could lead to exercise and nutrition issues. These could possibly lead to unhealthy levels of lipids and triglycerides as well.

Sources:

Triglycerides: Why do they matter?, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/triglycerides/CL00015

Cholesterol Levels: What Number Should You Aim For?, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cholesterol-levels/CL00001

Cholesterol, http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/cholesterol/glance.html