Children Shouldn't Skip Cholesterol Tests, Says Study

The foods that leave adult cholesterol levels sky high are doing the same in children, says a new study from the University of Virginia published in Pediatrics journal. According to the current screening guidelines, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, only children whose families have a history of recurring diseases like heart disease, obesity and high blood pressure are screened. Researchers are now recommending that all children be tested after the results of a study conducted on 20,000 fifth graders in West Virginia found that nearly 10 percent of them had elevated levels of LDL or bad cholesterol. Of that group, 1.7 percent of them would need to start taking cholesterol-lowering meds immediately. High cholesterol levels in children have been associated high levels of blood fats which can lead to obesity and heart disease. Like adults, doctors recommend parents encourage children to exercise regularly, and eat healthier foods low in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol.