How Is High Cholesterol in Children Treated?
The best way to treat cholesterol in children is with a diet and exercise program that involves the entire family. Here are some tips. • Eat foods low in total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol. The amount of total fat a child consumes should be 30% or less of daily total calories. This suggestion does NOT apply to children under the age of two. Saturated fat should be kept to less than 10% of daily total calories while trans fat should be avoided as much as possible. For children in the high-risk group, saturated fat should be restricted to 7% of total calories and dietary cholesterol to 200 milligrams a day. • Select a variety of foods so your child can get all the nutrients he or she needs. • Exercise regularly. Regular aerobic exercise, such as biking, running, walking, and swimming, can help raise HDL levels (the “good” cholesterol) and lower your child’s risk for cardiovascular disease.
