Cholesterol levels in

children and adolescents

By April Speck, Coordinator,

Clinton County Healthy Hometown Coalition

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends cholesterol testing for the following groups of children:

• Those whose parents or grandparents have had heart attacks or have been diagnosed with blocked arteries or disease affecting the blood vessels, such as stroke, at age 55 or earlier in men, or 65 or earlier in women

• Those whose parents or grandparents have total blood cholesterol levels of 240 mg/dL or higher

• Those whose family health background is not known (eg, many adopted children), or those who have characteristics associated with heart disease, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, or obesity

For children in these categories, their first cholesterol test should be after 2 years but no later than 10 years of age.

A child may have high cholesterol for a variety of reasons such as obesity, diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, or an underactive thyroid. If an initial test shows high cholesterol, your pediatrician will check your child’s blood again at least two weeks later to confirm the results. If it is still high, the doctor will also determine if your child has an underlying condition.

A recent government report indicated that there is good evidence that children with cholesterol problems become adults with high cholesterol. So it is important to monitor the cholesterol of children who may have an increased risk of elevated cholesterol.

Cholesterol Levels in Children and Adolescents

Classification Total Cholesterol Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL)

Acceptable <170 <110

Borderline 170-199 110-129

High >200 >130

Upcoming Healthy Hometown Coalition Events:

Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 3rd for Healthy Hometown’s Family Fun Run/Walk 5K and Health Fair.

Healthy Hometown is always seeking youth volunteers to go walk at AES, with elementary students between 7:20-7:45 am.

We are also seeking more youth volunteers to go to the Early Childhood Center every Tuesday during 2nd period intervention to facilitate Take 10!. Students who walk at Albany Elementary School and/or go to ECC will get volunteer hours to count on college applications.

For more information contact Healthy Hometown Coordinator, April Speck by calling 606-387-2051, or by email at: april.speck@clinton.kyschools

Healthy Hometown is working toward a “healthy” Clinton County.