When it comes to their kids, many parents don't even think about cholesterol. But high levels of cholesterol are known to be a major factor contributing to heart disease and strokes, and the latest medical research shows coronary artery disease has its roots in childhood.

Childhood cholesterol levels weren't tracked until recently, but some experts think that high cholesterol in kids is a major underreported public health problem. In the past few years, studies have shown a dramatic increase in obesity in children and the problems that result from being overweight. And some pediatricians report seeing a significant increase in the number of children with elevated cholesterol levels than they did years ago.

10 ways to lower your family's cholesterol

Here are some simple steps you can take to keep your family's cholesterol at healthy levels:

1. Have the cholesterol levels of both you and your child checked.
2. Read labels so that you can limit cholesterol and saturated and trans fat intake. It's recommended that cholesterol intake be less than 300 milligrams a day. To determine how much cholesterol is in the foods your family eats, read nutrition labels. Also, the American Heart Association recommends that total fat intake should be 30 percent or less of your total calories and that saturated fat should be 10 percent or less. Because they usually contain substantial amounts of cholesterol, you and your family should try to avoid, as often as possible: saturated fats -- all animal fats and some tropical oils; trans fats -- fats formed when vegetable oils are hardened into margarine or shortening (The amount of trans fats in foods are beginning to appear on nutrition labels in 2006. If trans fats aren’t listed on the label, look for the word "hydrogenated.")
3. Eat healthy snacks that are low in fat and cholesterol, such as: fruit, raw vegetables and low-fat dips; plain unsalted popcorn or pretzels; low-fat yogurt and gelatin
4. Replace some meals of red meat with: poultry, fish, beans, peas, lentils, tofu, soy products (many on the market today are very tasty and mimic hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken fingers, etc.)
5. Stay away from butter or stick margarine. Use liquid vegetable oil for cooking and tub margarine for table use.
6. Limit intake of commercially-prepared baked goods and treats.
7. Avoid soda and sugary fruit drinks because excess sugar is transformed into fats.
8. Pack healthy lunches and teach children to pick the healthiest items in their school cafeterias or vending machines.
9. Get plenty of exercise. Go for walks as a family. Go hiking or biking, or play soccer, basketball, or ice hockey. Exercise helps boost HDL levels in the blood -- and that's a good thing!
10. Make controlling your cholesterol levels and living healthier a family affair. Kids usually aren't the only ones at risk, so it's important to make this a family effort. And parents who don't know their own cholesterol levels should get them checked. The strides you take to improve your family's lifestyle can have a huge effect on your health not only now, but also far into the future.