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Contrary to popular belief, children are not always spared by high cholesterol. In recent years, the increase in childhood obesity still darkens the picture. What is the relationship between these two evils? How to prevent? Find some answers. Affecting mainly adults, excess blood cholesterol can sometimes affect the health of children.

Beware of familial hypercholesterolaemia

In children, the discovery of a high cholesterol remains infrequent.

Faced with moderate hypercholesterolemia, simple dietary measures are recommended. From a medical point of view, only the cholestyramine is permitted before the end of puberty. A management classic takes over in early adulthood.

Faced with severe hypercholesterolaemia (with an LDL> 1.9 grams per liter despite the diet), a genetic origin is often suspected. This hereditary disease will not have the same consequences if one parent is affected (heterozygous form) or if both are (homozygous). In the first case, statins or combination therapy should be considered. In the rare homozygous forms, only liver transplantation or treatment of specific plasma cholesterol levels (also called LDL apheresis) are really effective, but these children belong to a support by specialized services.

Childhood obesity and cholesterol: dangerous relationships

Poor diet and too much inactivity are factors that promote overweight and obesity. These excesses are the source of lipid disorders including high levels of cholesterol. Even among very young children, overweight and obesity can cause a cascade of cardiovascular risk factors like high cholesterol but also hypertension or insulin resistance.

In terms of overweight and obesity, France tends to adopt gradually the bad behavior of Americans. Thus, the percentage of obese adults increased as the children.