The Hidden Problem That May be Killing Our Children

One in five Americans kids has unhealthy cholesterol levels, and more than 8 percent have the most worrisome high cholesterol levels, a new survey finds (from NCHS).

Older children and teenagers had the worst cholesterol levels -- nearly 27 percent of 16- to 19- year-olds had at least one measure of unhealthy cholesterol, the National Center for Health Statistics found. And the heavier children were more likely to have unhealthy cholesterol measures.
More than 43 percent of obese kids had bad cholesterol levels, the survey found.

"While it's not a surprise that they have more abnormalities than non-obese kids, it is pretty frightening," said Dr. Julie Brothers, a preventive cardiologist at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, who was not involved in the study.
"It's quite high."

The findings definitely support recommendations to start screening even young children for cholesterol, Brothers said. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends cholesterol screening all children age 9-11.

Unhealthy cholesterol levels can mean arteries are already being blocked with hardening "plaques" that can cause heart attacks and strokes.
Many studies have shown heart disease starts young — with artery-clogging blockages starting sometimes as young as age 3! Ultrasound examinations of children as young as 10 have shown they can have arteries that are already as clogged as those in some middle-aged people.


Thirteen percent had low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL or "good" cholesterol). HDL scoops up the "bad" cholesterol and carries it away, so having high levels is important. It's linked most with poor diet, Brothers said.
"I look at things like what they are drinking throughout the day. The majority are drinking a lot of sugar drinks," she said. Cutting back on sugary drinks can help, she's found. So can adding exercise.

I can remember studies showing autopsy results on soldiers who were killed in the Vietnam War of a significant level of atherosclerosis in men as young as 18.
It's obvious that this nation's health has not improved over the decades.

Not only are we seeing type 2 diabetes in early elementary-aged children, we are now seeing risk factors for heart disease and strokes in this same age group.  This should outrage and horrify all of us.  But, I suspect it does not.  We certainly are a species of "see-no-evil" and it doesn't exist.  I fear for our youth and the health of this nation.

Dr. Esther
drkollars@gmail.com
fixdhealthcare.com