Poor preschooler eating habits can raise cholesterol, set stage for heart disease

TORONTO – A new study suggests that preschoolers’ eating habits could put them at risk for cardiovascular disease later in life.

The study of children aged three to five found those with poor eating behaviours had higher levels of “bad” cholesterol than kids with healthier eating habits.

Lead researcher Dr. Nav Persaud of St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto says elevated cholesterol can lead to heart attacks and strokes later in life.

Persaud says parents should offer kids a variety of healthy foods and let them choose when and how much they want to eat.

He says parents should make mealtimes fun, but that doesn’t mean eating in front of the TV or other screens.

The study published Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal involved almost 1,100 preschoolers enrolled in a practice-based research network in Toronto.