Cholesterol, a waxy substance found in the blood stream, is an important component of cell walls and some hormones, but in high levels, a condition called hypercholesterolemia, cholesterol can accumulate and cause atherosclerosis, or hardening of the blood vessels' walls, which can predispose you to heart attack and stroke. According to the American Heart Association, the buildup of cholesterol starts during childhood. LDL is a type of cholesterol that can contribute to atherosclerosis.
The Facts
LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, also is known as the bad cholesterol. It is the type of cholesterol involved in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in blood vessel walls. When the levels of LDL are elevated, it accumulates as plaque in the walls of the vessels that supply blood to the brain and the heart. These plaques narrow the arteries, making them less flexible, and also serve as a site of clot formation. When a clot form, it can completely block the artery and its blood flow, leading to a heart attack if affecting the heart muscle or a stroke if affecting the brain.
Considerations
The body forms LDL naturally, but children can have a genetic predisposition to high LDL levels, especially if their parents and grandparents also produced high levels of this cholesterol. The levels of LDL also can go up in children who consume a diet high in saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol. Saturated fats and trans fats are found in foods like meats, butter, milk, cheese and other dairy products.
Significance
Apart from having a family history of high cholesterol levels, there are other risk factors that increase the chance of children having high LDL levels. According to the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, these include obesity; having a sedentary lifestyle, with lots of video gaming and TV watching; and eating high-fat junk food.
Identification
The levels of LDL and cholesterol can be checked at any age, but it is important to begin monitoring their levels in children, especially those with a family history of high cholesterol, heart attack and stroke. These children have a higher risk of developing heart disease as adults, so efforts for maintaining LDL cholesterol levels at an appropriate range should begin as soon as an increase in LDL is detected.
Prevention/Solution
Diet and exercise are part of the strategy for reducing LDL cholesterol levels in children and adults. According to the American Heart Association, 60 minutes of exercise on most if not all days can help children develop a heart-healthy lifestyle. Parents should cook foods low in saturated and trans fats and cholesterol by using liquid vegetable oils instead of solid fats for cooking; decreasing the amount of meats and increasing the amount of seafood eaten on a weekly basis; and incorporating more fruits and vegetables in the diet.
References
- American Heart Association: Prevention and Treatment of High Cholesterol
- Lucille Packard Children's Hospital: Cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and Triglycerides
