High cholesterol affects one in ten children in Brazil
This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.
Maria Vianna
RIO - Poor nutrition, inactivity and genetics are the main causes of high cholesterol in children. The number of little ones with excess fat in the blood has increased exponentially, says cardiologist Antonio Carlos Camargo Carvalho, a specialist in pediatric cardiology at the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP). Today, about 10% of children in the country have high cholesterol, according to data from the Heart Institute (InCor). In the United States, this figure reaches 50% in some states.
Children are eating worse and are more sedentary than ever before. Just a decade ago, it was rare to see a child with high cholesterol. This risk increases if there is a history of diseases such as stroke, heart attack and angina in the family, therefore parents should be alert to the risk factors. In these cases, it is common for children to present a change in cholesterol between 7 and 10 years - explains Carvalho.
Children are eating worse and are more sedentary than ever before. Just a decade ago, it was rare to see a child with high cholesterol.
The increase in cholesterol in children are asymptomatic, and usually does not bring serious problems in childhood. This is the danger, experts say, because this child will be more likely to have cardiovascular and circulatory problems in early adulthood. The endocrinologist Cristiane Pacheco, the Prontobaby - Children's Hospital, points out that high cholesterol in childhood can also indicate more serious diseases such as disturbances in thyroid, diabetes and obesity.
If more serious illnesses were ruled out, treatment is often based on changing eating and regular practice of sports. Medicines are given only if the other lifestyle changes did not work. The treatment of high cholesterol in children, doctors emphasize, should include the whole family.
Parents should encourage healthy eating and physical activity. Reduce the time devoted to television, video games and computer and encourage adherence to a child's sport is very important. Eating habits should also be modified, giving preference to a diet high in fiber and low fat - says Cristina Pacheco.
With an eye on diet
Foods high in animal fat are the ones that increase cholesterol, explains the cardiologist UNIFESP. To reduce the fat in the blood, the idea is to limit consumption of red meat, egg yolks, mayonnaise, dairy products (especially grains) and cut sausages such as salami and ham. Instead, they should get the fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fiber, which help reduce fat absorption by the body.
The diet of old, that rice and beans, grilled steak and vegetables, is still a very good dish for children.
The diet of old, that rice and beans, grilled beef and vegetable dish is still a very good for children, certainly better than plates and snack foods. But the dietary changes have to happen gradually, as these changes are for life. A diet or exercise program very severe, for example, will not help to change the situation more quickly, and can still traumatize the child - the complete physician. He said with proper care, cholesterol levels usually return to normal within a year, but monitoring should continue for life.
Source: The Globe
This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.
Important:
The JurisWay site does not interfere in the work provided by doctrine, why only reflect the opinions, ideas and concepts of their authors.
