Dietary habits in relation to tracking of cholesterol level in young adolescents: a nine-year follow-up

Abstract

Because the origin of atherosclerosis is often in childhood, an early identification of future adults at risk can contribute to the prevention of atherosclerosis. In a prospective study on nutrition and health, a cohort of 556 infants was followed from birth to 3 years. Among them, 116 were found at risk for hypercholesterolemia with a cholesterol level greater than or equal to 200 mg/dl. Nine years later, these children at risk and their controls were invited to a follow-up examination of blood lipids, of nutritional status, by anthropometric measurements and personal and family history. From 32.7 to 48.7% of children at risk remained with a high cholesterol level (greater than or equal to 190 mg/dl) in comparison with 15% of controls. The nutritional profile was evidently different, especially the food frequency. The results strongly suggest that the early identification of children at risk and the screening of other family members, siblings and parents for hypercholesterolemia can serve for a sound intervention on nutritional habits.