"Most parents assume cholesterol is only an adult problem — but children's cholesterol levels can be just as concerning. In fact, unhealthy cholesterol can begin building up in a child's arteries as early as age two." The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that lipid screening be done twice during childhood - once between 9-11 and again between 17-21. Lipids are the fats in the blood. This is checked by a blood test. Cartoon depiction of lipids, such as cholest

"As parents we want our children to grow up strong and healthy. Following heart health guidelines for kids from an early age is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your child from heart disease and cardiovascular problems later in life." Guidelines for heart health and cardiovascular risk reduction have been set forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Heart Association (AHA). This article will highlight and summarize these reco

Heart-healthy foods including fresh vegetables and fruit on a wooden heart surrounded by a stethoscope. Since February is Heart Health Month I am devoting all the articles this month to heart disease prevention measures starting in childhood. Most of the articles are previous articles with updated revisions. According to a recent survey in US News and World Report, use of the "Food as Medicine" approach was one of the top health trends for 2026. My goal has been to use "Food

Childhood hypertension has been on the increase worldwide. From 2000 to 2020, the incidence of high blood pressure in children and adolescents nearly doubled. Estimates are that about 1 in 25 children, ages 12-19, have hypertension, and 1 in 10 has prehypertension (elevated blood pressure but not yet high enough to classify as hypertension). Child getting his blood pressure measured at the doctor's office. What are the Causes? Blood pressure ranges vary with age. For teens an

I recently read an interesting medical research article on a study done in Denmark on children with central (abdominal) obesity. The findings were presented this year at the European Congress on Obesity. Young child in a white coat with a stethoscope holding a paper heart. The Study This longitudinal study, done over ten years, followed hundreds of children from birth to age 10. The children were seen and measured 14 times. The children’s height and waist circumference were m

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that lipid screening be done twice during childhood - once between 9-11 and again...

Guidelines for heart health and cardiovascular risk reduction have been set forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the...

Heart-healthy Foods Since February is both National Heart Disease Month and National Children's Dental Health Month, I am splitting the...

Sugar can be tasty but too much is toxic Now that you have ideas for healthy sweet treats from last week, I will tell you the dangers of too much sugar this week. Most of us are pretty sweet on sugar, but research reveals a bittersweet reality! Sugar occurs naturally in any food that contains carbohydrates - fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy. Consuming these natural forms of sugar are healthy since these types of food also contain fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minera