Q&A: My 9-Year-Old Has High Cholesterol
Q: My son was just diagnosed with high cholesterol yesterday. His blood pressure was high as well. He's an active kid, but I do have to watch his sweet tooth. Any tips and ideas on menus and behavior changes would be very much appreciated. He is a bit overweight, though very active with karate and baseball. I don't want him to be overly stressed about this so I'm still trying to figure out how to go about telling him. He tends to be a worrier.
I also have two other daughters so I know that these changes need to be incorporated into the whole family. We've made small changes but I'm sure there's more to be done...HELP!
--csg0913
A: You're on the right track, not wanting your son to be too focused on his weight, but now is the time to make some major lifestyle changes that can really pay off for good health. This always translates into better health for the whole family. You're making some good changes, and small changes over time are the way to go when it comes to health eating. For your son, specifically, you need to determine whether he truly is eating a healthy diet - plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, low-fat dairy, as well as limiting fast food. This kind of eating supports weight control, as well as healthy cholesterol and blood pressure. Plus, quantity counts - even healthy foods have calories. Encourage consumption of colorful fruits and vegetables - which fall into the "unlimited consumption" categories for children.
Also, while it's great that he's in karate and baseball, you might want him to encourage some sustained aerobic activity, like bike riding, or a trampoline. He's also at an age where he'll be having a growth spurt and growing taller - so his weight and height will "even out", as long as he's eating a healthy diet and staying physically active.
Suggest that he (and your other children) come to the supermarket, and look for some new, healthful foods for meals and snacks. Look for some treats, but in single-serving packages - deprivation leads to overeating and sneak eating. Include your children in food preparation, and cooking. It's important to limit consumption of fast food, and processed items, which contain loads of hidden fat, salt, and calories. Good luck!
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Madelyn H. Fernstrom, PhD, CNS, is the iVillage Health Editor-at-Large, Diet & Nutrition Editor for the Today Show and the Founder and Director of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Weight Management Center.
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I think that it's also important to look at the family history in this one. Yes, diet and activity are important, but with a child that young, you need to think about the possibility that there is something called Familial Hypercholesterolemia going on here. It's genetic and is actually pretty common (I think 1/500 people have it), and has to do with how your body deals with processing cholesterol. How are mom and dad's cholesterol? What about grandparents or older members of the family on both sides? Has anybody developed heart disease (or even died of it) at an early age (usually before 50). I have a friend who has this condition--she had high cholesterol at the age of 3, and basically is supposed to be on medicine for it the rest of her life, as well as watching what she does as far as diet and exercise.
I was diagnosed with high cholesterol around the same age. The problem? A diet low in fiber, whole grains and high in saturated fats a very common problem these days.
Sweets are not generally the problem when it comes to cholesterol, in fact cholesterol in foods is not the major culprit, the culprit is saturated fats. My mother made low cholesterol meals (but not low fat) for years and it did nothing for me, I remained a chubby kid with high cholesterol. When I moved out in my 20's I took matters into my own hands I lost weight by changing my diet to include more whole grains especially barely, and oatmeal (great cholesterol fighters) and cut out fried foods.
The result? Cholesterol to normal levels for the first time in my adult life.