WSVN — Some in the medical community consider it an alarming trend. A large number of children are being diagnosed with abnormally high cholesterol levels. 7’s Diana Diaz shows us why parents should take this cholesterol concern very seriously.
Soraya Cajuste is only 10 years old, but she’s dealing with a very “adult” health problem.
Sandy Cajuste: “The doctor called me and said, ‘Wow, her cholesterol is too high, you need to take this seriously.'”
The fifth grader has a strong family history of high cholesterol.
Sandy Cajuste: “Starting from my mom, my dad, myself and her brothers.”
New studies show that nearly one-third of kids may now have high cholesterol due to obesity, poor diet and lack of exercise.
Dr. Zachary Pearson-Martinez, pediatric cardiologist: “We are seeing an alarming increase in cholesterol problems in children. About 30 percent of all children have problematic or questionable cholesterol levels.”
While cardiovascular disease is rare in children, pediatric cardiologist Zachary Pearson-Martinez said it is their future that worries him.
Dr. Zachary Pearson-Martinez: “Their elevated cholesterol at the age of 8 or 10 is laying the foundation for adult cardiovascular disease.”
The doctor’s first line of defense in lowering cholesterol is to aggressively change the child’s diet and add in exercise.
Felicia Stoler, nutritionist: “Getting the bad fats out, eliminating fried foods, eating more fruits and vegetables, eating more whole grains.”
Nutritionist Felicia Stoler says certain oils can also help fight bad cholesterol.
Felicia Stoler: “We know olive oil is good. We know that some of the tropical oils like Malaysian palm fruit oil and coconut oil can be beneficial.”
Stoler also suggests eating healthy fats like nuts, nut butter, avocado and sneaking in ground flaxseed.
Felicia Stoler: “I think it’s easy to hide it in certain types of soups. I use that a lot when I make homemade tomato sauce to thicken it and my children have no clue that it’s in there.”
And the final key to reducing cholesterol through diet is adding fiber.
Felicia Stoler: “It helps to bind bile, and it pulls it out of the body, which helps to lower cholesterol. Take it in foods or take it in supplements that are considered safe for kids.”
But diet and exercise won’t always help kids who just inherited high cholesterol. That’s when doctors must look at other risk factors involved and decide whether or not to prescribe cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Dr. Zachary Pearson-Martinez: “We’re still somewhat wary of starting a child on medication that potentially is a life-long medication. Typically, we won’t start statins in children below the age of 10.”
It’s a decision each parent will have to make for their child.
Felicia Stoler: “My concerns with statins are that, first of all, we don’t know the long-term effects, especially on children.”
Soraya’s family is taking the cholesterol warnings very seriously.
Sandy Cajuste: “It was a wake-up call, especially when he explained about the stroke and the cardiovascular she may develop in the future.”
The entire family is making big changes.
Soraya Cajuste: “I’ve been eating a lot of fruit, and I’ve been dancing.”
The latest guidelines recommend that all children between the ages of 9 and 11 years old be screened for high cholesterol at least once, then again at ages 17 and 21.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Dr. R. Zachary Pearson-Martinez
Pediatric Heart Center
12295 Taft St.
Pembroke Pines, FL 33026
3990 Sheridan St. Suite 108
Hollywood, FL 33021
(954) 447-7774
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Felicia Stoler
Nutritionist, Registered dietitian, and Exercise Physiologist
www.feliciastoler.com
info@feliciastoler.com