High cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease, the leading cause of death in adult Americans; every 37 seconds, a person dies from this disease, reports Texas Heart Institute. Although heart disease is not a major threat to your teen, his cholesterol levels could be. High cholesterol increases his risk of cardiovascular problems as he ages. You can help prevent heart disease by adjusting your son's diet while meeting his nutritional needs.
Significance
Atherosclerosis, a condition causing the buildup of plaque in the arteries, begins during adolescence and progresses into adulthood, according to the American Heart Association. Plaque, a substance consisting of fat, cholesterol and calcium, blocks the flow of blood to the heart and brain; this can result in heart disease and complications such as heart attack and stroke. If your child has high cholesterol levels, they may contribute to atherosclerosis. Taking steps to lower his cholesterol during his teen years might help prevent the development of atherosclerosis.
High Cholesterol Levels in Teens
Healthy cholesterol levels do not vary between teen boys and girls. Your son's doctor takes three cholesterol types into consideration. His LDL, or bad cholesterol, contributes to plaque buildup, and should be low. His HDL, or good cholesterol, helps clear excess LDL from his blood, and should be high. Your son's total cholesterol measures all cholesterol in his blood, both good and bad. Your teen is at risk for heart disease if his LDL is 130 mg/dL or greater, his HDL is 35 mg/dL or less and his total is 200 mg/dL or more, according to Children's Hospital Boston. These levels pertain to children between the ages of 2 and 19.
The Balancing Act
Teen boys between the ages of 11 and 14 require approximately 2,500 calories per day, while boys between 15 and 18 require 2,800 calories. Knowing this is crucial, as you base your son's diet on his daily caloric intake. MassGeneral Hospital for Children explains saturated fats should not comprise more than 10 percent of your teen's daily calories. Examples of saturated fats include red meat, vegetable oil, butter, sour cream and cream cheese. No more than 10 percent of calories should come from healthy polyunsaturated fats such as walnuts, salad dressings, mayonnaise, sunflower or flaxseeds, and corn or sunflower oil. Limit his intake of cholesterol to 300 mg per day and increase his intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. If necessary, seek nutritional counseling to ensure you meet your son's nutritional needs while adjusting his diet to lower his cholesterol.
Monitoring His Progress
When your son's cholesterol levels are high, and he is following a cholesterol-lowering diet, he typically remains on the diet for a period of six to 12 months before his doctor orders another cholesterol test. If his LDL level is either the same or greater than 190 mg/dL, his physician might order a cholesterol-lowering medication in conjunction with the diet, explains MassGeneral Hospital for Children. This could also happen if your teen's LDL is 160 mg/dL or more, and he has risk factors such as overweight, high blood pressure or a family history of early heart disease
References
- Texas Heart Institute: Heart Disease Risk Factors for Children and Teenagers
- American Heart Association: Children and Cholesterol
- Children's Hospital Boston: LDL, HDL and Triglycerides
- FamilyEducation.com: Nutrition for Children and Teenagers
- MassGeneral Hospital for Children: Cholesterol and Triglycerides
