Triglycerides (try-GLIS-er-ides) are a type of fat in the blood. The body uses triglycerides for energy. Having high triglycerides as a child or teen could lead to a heart attack or stroke in adulthood.

Making changes in your child's diet, helping them lose weight (if recommended), and making sure they get plenty of physical activity can help bring triglycerides back to a normal level and help improve overall health. Sometimes medicine is needed too.

Here's how to care for your child.

• Eat together as a family as much as possible. Create healthy habits for the whole family so your child doesn't feel singled out.
• Serve healthy foods:
  • Help your child avoid foods and drinks that are high in sugar and fat and limit refined grains (such as white flour, white bread, and white rice).
  • Give your child fiber-rich foods, including whole grains (such as whole-wheat flour), fruits, and vegetables.
  • Include foods with omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fatty fish (like salmon), walnuts, flax seeds, and olive oil.
• Help your child stay at a healthy weight:
  • Give your child a combined total of at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day.
  • Limit your child's non-school screen time (TV, computer, tablet, phone, and video games).
  • Make sure your child gets one hour or more of physical activity, such as walking, running, or dancing, every day. Plan outdoor outings for the family that include physical activity, such as hiking, bike riding, or walking a dog.
• If your child is overweight, follow the weight-loss plan your healthcare provider recommends.
• If suggested, schedule an appointment with a nutritionist to help you plan meals.
• Give your child any prescribed medicines as directed.
• Schedule any recommended follow-up visits. The healthcare provider will want to check your child's triglycerides level again after you've followed these instructions for 3–6 months.

Your child is having trouble following the recommended diet and activity changes.

Your child:

• Has severe belly pain
• Is vomiting and has severe belly pain

These symptoms can be signs of inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), which can happen with very high triglyceride levels.

What causes high triglyceride levels? In most kids, it's caused by eating too many calories, carrying extra weight, and not getting enough physical activity every day. Sometimes there can be a genetic (inherited) cause.

What are the symptoms of high triglycerides? Most kids with high triglycerides don't have any symptoms. The high triglyceride level is found on a blood test.

Why is having high triglycerides a problem? Kids with high triglycerides tend to have other conditions that increase the risk of heart attack and stroke in adulthood. For example, they are often overweight, have abnormal cholesterol levels, and may have diabetes. Losing weight, making diet changes, and increasing physical activity helps with all of these conditions. Making these changes early in childhood or the teen years is the best way to bring down the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Very high triglycerides can also cause problems in the liver and pancreas.