The recommendations are a major shift from current guidelines that suggest such testing be done only for children who have a family history of heart disease or high blood cholesterol, which is one of the major risk factors for heart disease.Meant to improve children's heart health and reduce their future risk of cardiovascular disease, the new guidelines also recommend that children and young adults have their cholesterol levels checked again between the ages of 17 and 21.
For more information on kids and cholesterol, visit Kids Health from Nemours.
It is a shame that our children suffer for their parents mistakes. While there is no control over hereditary illnesses, parents can control what they put in their childrens mouths. And, since children learn by example, parents should be controlling what they put in their own mouths. Do you really need to eat another piece of pie, or the whole bag of potatoe chips? There are much healthier alternatives. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Pun inteneded.
ReplyDeleteAll good points, Diane! Thanks for the comment.
ReplyDeleteDiane, I agree. I had gall bladder surgery in my 20s, and I believe that my need for the surgery at such a young age had to do with the way that our family ate when I was a child. We didn't spend a lot of time at fast food places, but a lot of our meals were fried and fatty...and we always had desert. I lost 20 lbs. when I left home. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree that parents' food choices, today, affect their children's health tomorrow. What is it they say? Kids don't necessarily listen to every word you say, but the definitely see and take in everything you do.