The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently made a recommendation that all kids get screened for high cholesterol. After this announcement, a new study was released showing some staggering statistics about kids and cholesterol.
The new research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that 1 in 5 kids have high cholesterol.
The researchers believe that obesity seems to be the main cause for these results. The study showed that 43 percent of obese children had high cholesterol readings, while children at a normal weight showed only 14 percent.
Age was also a significant factor, as 6 percent of children between 6 and 8 years old had high readings, while children between 16-19 had twice as much high cholesterol.
The CDC researchers found these results by reviewing federal data from 2011-2014, and determined that over 13 percent of kids had low HDL cholesterol, which is the good type of cholesterol. Seven percent of kids had total levels that are considered unhealthy.
“Clearly, the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendations to screen all children for cholesterol status, and to take measures to prevent and manage obesity, are more appropriate than ever,” says Dr. Michael Pettei, from the preventive cardiology department at Cohen Children’s Medical Center.
Dr. Kevin Marzo, chief of cardiology at Winthrop-University Hospital in Mineola, N.Y., agreed.
“Abnormal cholesterol is a key modifiable risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke, in adulthood,” he said. “This study confirms that preventive strategies must start in childhood, including healthy eating habits, regular exercise, and maintaining ideal body weight.”
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REFERENCES:
1. “Staggering 1 in 5 Kids Have Troubling Cholesterol Levels, Study Says.” Parents Magazine. Parents Magazine, n.d. Web. 22 Dec. 2015.
2. “One in Five U.S. Kids Over Age 5 Has Unhealthy Cholesterol: CDC.” Consumer HealthDay. HealthDay, n.d. Web. 22 Dec. 2015.
3. “Physicians Recommend All Children, Ages 9-11, Be Screened for Cholesterol.” American Academy of Pediatrics. American Academy of Pediatrics, n.d. Web. 22 Dec. 2015.
