Newark, NJ (February 24, 2025) – The number of children and adolescents diagnosed with high cholesterol is growing every day. According to national survey data, one in five children in the United States between the ages of 12-19 are living with a cholesterol level that is out of the healthy range.
Pediatricians are seeing more cases of high cholesterol in children due to increases in pediatric obesity, diabetes, genetic causes, and other lifestyle factors that contribute to poor heart health at an early age.
“It is important that parents establish heart-healthy habits for their children, as early as possible. Eating nutritious foods and encouraging physical activity are the building blocks for preventing high cholesterol and heart disease but that is just the beginning,” said Madhu Sharma, MD, a member of the RWJBarnabas Health Children’s Health Network and Director of Preventive Cardiology, at Children’s Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.
Here are 11 ways to help protect your child’s heart health and possibly lower their risk of developing high cholesterol:
- Share your family heart health story: Your child’s pediatrician should know if a family member developed heart disease at an early age – before 55 in men and 65 in women or if either of the parents have a total blood cholesterol of 240 mg/dL or higher. These details may place your child at higher risk.
- Start screening early: The American Heart Association recommends cholesterol screening for children as early as 9-11 years old and again between the ages of 17 – 21. For children with a family history of early heart disease or genetic predisposition to high cholesterol, screening can start as early as 2 years old.
- Know your child’s risk factors: Factors that increase a child's risk of developing high cholesterol include diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, Kawasaki disease, obesity (BMI at or above 95th percentile) and smoking.
- Genetic testing may also be an option. In the United States, 1 in 250 people have Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH), a genetic abnormality that increases the risk of developing heart disease at an early age. Early screening and treatment to lower cholesterol has been proven to lower that risk.
- What you drink matters as much as what you eat. Children often consume several sugary beverages throughout the day from carbonated drinks to flavored juices and drinks. You can reduce or limit the amount of sugar in their drinks by watering down their favorite drinks or swapping them out with water or low-fat milk to help reduce empty calorie intake.
- 60 minutes of activity a day keeps the doctor away. Aim for at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise most days to promote a healthy weight and cardiovascular health. Family activities such as family walks, bike rides or joining local sporting teams provide a great way to stay in shape, as well as routine movement such as walking the dog, dancing, or yoga care great ways to stay active.
- Focus on a Heart-Healthy Diet: Strive to provide plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins in every meal, while limiting saturated and trans fats.
- Turn off the screens. Reducing the amount of sedentary time your child spends in front a tablet, smartphone, television or other device is a great way to support an active lifestyle. Limit screen time to no more than 2 hours a day and restrict access at night. Moving the location of a computer or television or placing phones in another room at night can help.
- Monitor your child’s weight:Children who are overweight or obese are at 42% higher risk of developing heart disease. Work with your child’s doctor to keep their weight in a healthy range for their age and height.
- Avoid Smoking and Secondhand Smoke: Exposure to smoking can harm blood vessels and increase the risk of heart disease later in life.
- Work with a Specialist if Needed: If your child is at risk, a pediatric cardiologist can provide targeted care and treatment plans.