DETROIT - Thirty-nine percent of Michigan children have elevated cholesterol compared to only 25% of the children in the rest of the nation, according to a University of Michigan (U of M) study funded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan (Blues).
Dr. Charles T. Kuntzleman, a U of M faculty member and director of the Blues' Fitness for Youth Program (FFY), calls the findings significant and disturbing.
The study examined the blood cholesterol levels of 7,275 Michigan youths, ages 1-19, beginning in 1985. Of these children 2,868 had cholesterol levels exceeding 170 mg/dl, a level considered by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Cholesterol Education Program Coordinating Committee as borderline or too high. That’s almost four out of ten Michigan children with high blood cholesterol levels.
“All of the testing was done by the same technician and analyzed in the same laboratory - an important consideration in these kinds of tests," Kuntzleman says. "The cholesterols were taken in a non-fasting state, however, we did not examine the children’s HDL and LDL cholesterols. These two cholesterols would provide further important information on how dangerous the elevated blood cholesterols are.”
The tests were conducted with prior approval from the children’s parents in 18 Michigan school districts during the past six years.
Both boys and girls had high levels. Interestingly, 43% of the girls and only 36% of the boys had elevated cholesterols. This latter finding is surprising, since men have a higher incidence of heart disease than women before the age of 65. The incidence of heart disease is thought to be increased by high cholesterol levels.
A Blues spokesperson notes that this study may be an indicator of future state health care needs and costs. “Evidence now suggests that heart disease risk factors begin in children. A child with elevated cholesterols at age 10, will have elevated cholesterols at age 40. The study serves notice that a larger than expected number of Michigan children may be at risk. This may have important considerations for future health care costs and keeping Michigan citizens healthy.”
Kuntzleman adds: “I find it significant that Michigan is one of the 10 highest states with heart disease in this country. One reason may be children with blood cholesterols &endash; one of the most dangerous heart disease risk factors &endash; which are too high. There definitely is a need for further research on this question.”
Kuntzleman believes parents can play a key role in helping children control blood cholesterol levels. “Providing fiber and vitamin-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains and limiting foods rich in fat and cholesterol such as fatty luncheon meats, bacon, donuts, ice cream, cookies, butter and chips can make a significant difference."
Other important steps parents can take include stimulating children to be physically active and encouraging schools to adopt or expand healthy lifestyle programs, according to Kuntzleman.
Blood cholesterol levels may be only one aspect of the heart disease puzzle, but they are certainly an important one. Even small changes in cholesterol levels can be significant. Previous research shows that for every 1% drop in blood cholesterol levels, a person’s heart disease risk drops 2%. A 1986 FFY study and other investigations have shown that FFY-type programs can reduce children’s cholesterol levels as much as 10%. If true, heart disease risk could be lowered by 20%.
|
BOYS |
GIRLS |
TOTAL |
||||||
|
Number Tested |
Number Elevated |
Percentage |
Number Tested |
Number Elevated |
Percentage |
Number Tested |
Number Elevated |
Percentage |
|
3,859 |
1394 |
36 |
3,416 |
1,474 |
43 |
7,275 |
2,868 |
39 |