There are no warning signs of high cholesterol in your teenager. If he is overweight, physically inactive or has a family history of high cholesterol, he may have a greater risk. High cholesterol in adolescents is uncommon, but if it starts to build up throughout his youth, he may have complications as an adult. Help your teen stay on top of his cholesterol from the beginning by helping him make healthy food choices and keeping him active.
Cholesterol Types
You need some cholesterol in your body for hormone production and other functions. Most of the cholesterol you need is made in the liver, but feeding your daughter a diet rich in animal foods increases the amount of dietary cholesterol she consumes, possibly boosting the bad cholesterol in her body. Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL cholesterol, gets its bad reputation from building up on arterial walls, causing stiff arteries and leading to clogs. High-density lipoprotein, called HDL cholesterol, is the good cholesterol that rids your blood of excess LDL by taking it to the liver, where it breaks down. Blood cholesterol tests usually include triglyceride levels as well. Triglycerides are not a type of cholesterol, but they are a type of fat that can increase her risk of heart disease.
Cholesterol Ranges
If high cholesterol or heart disease run in your family, your doctor may begin checking your child's blood cholesterol as early as age 2. Between ages 2 and 18, his total cholesterol should fall below 170 mg/dL, according to the KidsHealth website. For optimal heart health, his LDL should be less than 170 mg/dL and triglycerides need to stay below 150 mg/dL, while his HDL cholesterol has to be above 45 mg/dL. Since HDL helps stabilize cholesterol levels, if his HDL falls below 35 mg/dL, he has a greater chance of developing heart disease.
Health Concerns
Arteries are long tubes that are stretchy and flexible, allowing for blood to pass through freely. Cholesterol buildup occurs over a long period of time, causing atherosclerosis, or hard arteries. High cholesterol is not common in adolescents; less than 15 percent of children have this condition, the Texas Heart Institute reports. Over years of progression, atherosclerosis leads to heart disease, the most common cause of death among adults. As of 2010, one person dies every 37 seconds from heart disease in the United States. Since having high cholesterol during teenage years can cause problems down the line, it is imperative to stay on top of her cholesterol levels from the beginning.
Improving Cholesterol Levels
Give your teen plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole-grain foods, which are full of fiber and help improve cholesterol levels. Refrain from letting him eat solid fat, such as stick margarine, which is high in harmful trans fat, which increases his risk of poor cholesterol levels. While he needs protein to support growth, opting for lean cuts of meat over fatty beef, pork or sausage limits the amount of bad fats and calories he consumes. Lastly, keep your teen active with at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily, suggests KidsHealth. Exercise helps improve cholesterol levels by boosting HDL cholesterol.
