Many nutrition authorities recommend that Americans aged 2 years and older eat diets low in fat, saturated fatty acids, and cholesterol. Eating a diet high in fat, especially saturated fatty acids and cholesterol, raises blood cholesterol levels in many people. Populations like ours with diets high in fat also have more obesity and certain types of cancers. By choosing foods that are lean or low in fat, you can get the nutrients you need with fewer calories. In addition to supplying energy, fat helps your body absorb certain vitamins.
Fats also provide essential fatty acids.
Most diets, even those lower in fat, provide plenty of these essential fatty acids. The exception is children under 2 years of age. It is very important for their growth and development that children under 2 years NOT be put on diets low in fat. Additionally, it is debatable whether children and adolescents with normal weight and blood fat levels benefit from diets low in fat. To help you judge if your weight is healthy, answer the following three questions.