The incidence of obesity in children has increased dramatically in recent decades. Aside from the social stigma that being overweight holds for kids, childhood obesity can lead to a variety of health problems. Parents need to be aware of the long-term negative consequences of excess weight in children and consult with health care providers on behavior modification.

One-third of kids now obese

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Arkansas has the third highest percentage of adults considered obeseat—34.7 percent—behind Mississippi and Louisiana. The CDC also reports that, in line with national statistics, over one-third of children ages 2-18 in Arkansas are overweight.

Factors that contribute to obesity include family history, diet and exercise. With excess weight comes elevated cholesterol levels, triglycerides, serum glucose, high blood pressure and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Research shows that when cholesterol in kids is high, it’s likely to remain high into adulthood—and in turn can lead to heart disease.

High cholesterol leads to heart disease

How does cholesterol in kids affect heart disease? Cholesterol is a type of fat particle found in blood (and made by the liver) that’s needed for the body to perform certain functions, such as building cell walls and producing hormones. And while some cholesterol, like HDL cholesterol, is helpful (“H” for helpful), other cholesterol, like LDL cholesterol, is lousy (“L” for lousy) and clogs up arteries. When you have too much of the lousy kind and not enough of the helpful kind, the likelihood of developing heart disease increases.

Simple blood test can indicate risk

Health care professionals can check cholesterol in school-age children with a simple blood test. The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that all children be screened for high cholesterol at least once between the ages of 9 and 11 years, and again between ages 17 and 21 years. The following groups of children and adolescents may be considered at greater risk for high cholesterol:

  • Those with a parent or grandparent who had evidence of coronary atherosclerosis, peripheral vascular disease, or cerebrovascular disease;
  • Who had a coronary artery procedure;
  • Who suffered a heart attack or sudden cardiac death before age 55;
  • Or, those with a parent who has a history of high total cholesterol levels (240 mg/dL or higher).

Control with diet and exercise

A sensible diet and exercise program can help treat high cholesterol in children. Eating regular meals has been found to help control cholesterol levels. School-age children who did not eat breakfast were more likely to be overweight and have a higher risk for LDL cholesterol. Kids who eat more snacks and get less physical activity are also more prone to high cholesterol levels and obesity. The American Heart Association makes these recommendations to reduce fatty buildup in the arteries of children:

  • Children ages two and older should be encouraged to eat four to five cups of fruits and vegetables daily and a wide variety of other foods low in saturated fat and trans fat.
  • Encourage regular aerobic exercise.
  • Help kids reduce weight if obese.
  • Identify and treat high blood pressure and/or diabetes. There is an increased incidence of type 2 diabetes among youth when there is obesity and family history of type 2 diabetes present.
  • Discourage cigarette smoking.

Medication may be a solution

If changes in diet and exercise do not have the desired effect, medicine might be considered for children older than eight years. Some drugs used to treat cholesterol in children include cholestyramine, colestipol and colesevelam. Recent studies in children with very high cholesterol have supported the safe use of drugs in the statin class. A child’s cholesterol levels should be re-tested after three months of dietary changes and/or medicines. If prescription medication or herbal supplements are recommended to help manage your child’s high cholesterol, your family pharmacist can counsel you on proper use and any side effects.

Eric Crumbaugh, Pharm.D., is Director of Clinical Programs for the Arkansas Pharmacists Association. Eric and his wife Jennifer, also a pharmacist, have an 18-month-old daughter, Olivia Grace. They live in Benton.