Cholesterol levels in children

[hirwin]

Hello.  My children recently had routine blood work done.  I was very shocked at the outcome.  Their LDL was in the high normal range, but their HDL (the good chol.) was shockingly low.  My oldest son, 11 1/2, who is not very active due to mild CP, was around 24 and my youngest, 8, who bounces off the wall, plays sports, rides his bike and runs and plays everyday, was 11!  They have a healthy diet for the most part.  I think we're like most American families, eat at home 75% of the time and eat out the other.  They both take a multi-vitamin.  What does this level mean for them, esp. the 11 on my active one.  I have a heart condition and they've both been tested for it, but were not dx'd with it at this time.  My HDL isn't even as low as theirs.  Mine is 32.  What can I do to raise this level and should I be concerned?  

[Renee Radenberg]

Genetics do play a part in cholesterol. Usually when children do have high cholesterol, it is from hereditary origins. Research has shown that it is the quality of fat that makes the difference in lowering cholesterol, not an overall lowering of all fats. It is recommended that all Trans fats and saturated fats are not consumed, but omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats can be eaten. To break that down simply it means nuts, seeds, and peanut/olive oils can be eaten. Suggest having them eat a moderate fat diet to help lower their cholesterol. Moderate fat diet means = use polyunsaturated (omega 3, corn oil, nuts, etc) fats and monounsaturated (olive oil, canola oil, peanut oil, etc) fats, no saturated fats and no Trans fats. Eat low fat meats (chicken, fish, loin of pork) or non-meat sources (soy products, nuts), low fat vegetarian combinations (rice & beans, pasta & beans, low fat cheese & pasta), fat free or low fat dairy products (skim milk, 1% milk, low fat cheese, low fat yogurts, low fat soy milk/yogurt), use plant oils, non trans-fat margarines, and eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. Eat daily high fiber breads and cereals (oatmeal). Hope this helped you.

[estrelinha]

just putting this up

[hirwin]

The only report I can find off hand right now is for my 8 yr. old, the one w/ the 11 HDL.  It says:

LP+LDL Direct
     Chol. Total          110     w/ normal being 11-169
     Triglycerides       122     w/ normal being  0-149
     HDL                     11     w/ normal being >39


This all threw his T. Chol/HDL Ratio to 10 which was high, normal is 0-5.