DIABETES TYPE 2 AND YOU

SHOULD KIS WORRY ABOUT CHOLESTEROL?

Brandon Smith has elevated cholesterol so he switched to whole wheat bread, broccoli instead of French fries and grilled chicken instead of fried chicken and limits pizza to once per week. The amazing thing is that Brandon is 10 years old. High cholesterol concerns have been a middle age concern but research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that high cholesterol in the teen years predicts dangerous thickening of the artery walls in adulthood. Early teenage cholesterol is important. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends screening for kids who have a family history of heart disease, who have a parent with high cholesterol or for those in whom parent's medical histories aren't known. Most people don't get their cholesterol checked until adulthood.

Parents should foster heart-healthy diets in their kids and test their teenager's cholesterol. The acceptable level for anyone under 19 years of age is 170. Any number over 300 is condidered high. Studies of 2600 people that had high cholesterol as teenages then did test of their arteries between ages 25-37 showed a much greater chance of plaque build up. Overweight teens, those that smoked or had high blood pressure had similiar plaque build up.

Medications like Lipitor lower cholesterol but most doctors don't use these in teenagers because of concerns about liver toxicity. Limiting saturated fat to 10% of the daily intake can help.

Brandon's cholesterol dropped from 248 to 216 through changes in diet and exercise. French fries, pizza and ice cream seem to be the work foods so limit them if possible. Don't send your kids out to play, go with them, have an adventure.

The diabetes support group meets the second Monday of each month at 7 pm in our office. Everyone is welcome. There is no charge.

Timothy J. Gray, D.O.
Book-Of-The-Month-Club Author
Board Certified in Family Practice
Mountain View Medical Center
1909 Mountain View Lane Suite
Forest Grove, Oregon
503-359-4773