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Pediatricians Recommend Cholesterol Screening for Kids
July 08, 2008 08:00 AM
In an effort to fend off heart disease in adults, pediatricians are urging wider cholesterol screening in children and the use of cholesterol-lowering drugs.
30-Second Summary
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) believes that one way to prevent heart disease in adults is to screen kids for risk factors at an early age.
In fact, the AAP has recommended that kids as young as two and no older than 10 start receiving cholesterol screening if they have a family history of high cholesterol or heart attacks. Those who are obese, or have a limited family history, are encouraged to do the same.
Some pediatricians are also recommending that children as young as eight begin taking cholesterol-lowering drugs to avoid heart problems later in life.
Because 30 percent of children in the United States are obese, many doctors believe a wave of heart attacks and diabetes will appear as the kids grow older.
“There is a large discussion of obesity in America because this is the first generation of children that has a lower life expectancy than their parents’ generation,” stated Dr. Daniel Levy, a pediatrician and AAP spokesman.
For some, cholesterol and obesity problems are genetic. The Baltimore Sun tells the story of a 15-year-old boy who led an active lifestyle and ate healthily, but maintained cholesterol levels nearly five times higher than those of an average peer.
His problem, which was genetic, led to double bypass surgery. Dr. Peter Kwiterovich, a blood cholesterol researcher, said it is possible that screening could have eliminated a need for bypass surgery.
The right type of cholesterol can have benefits to the body. Physicians believe HDL cholesterol in particular carries bad cholesterol away from the arteries to the liver, where it is eventually expelled from the body.
Doctors can check cholesterol levels with a blood test.
In fact, the AAP has recommended that kids as young as two and no older than 10 start receiving cholesterol screening if they have a family history of high cholesterol or heart attacks. Those who are obese, or have a limited family history, are encouraged to do the same.
Some pediatricians are also recommending that children as young as eight begin taking cholesterol-lowering drugs to avoid heart problems later in life.
Because 30 percent of children in the United States are obese, many doctors believe a wave of heart attacks and diabetes will appear as the kids grow older.
“There is a large discussion of obesity in America because this is the first generation of children that has a lower life expectancy than their parents’ generation,” stated Dr. Daniel Levy, a pediatrician and AAP spokesman.
For some, cholesterol and obesity problems are genetic. The Baltimore Sun tells the story of a 15-year-old boy who led an active lifestyle and ate healthily, but maintained cholesterol levels nearly five times higher than those of an average peer.
His problem, which was genetic, led to double bypass surgery. Dr. Peter Kwiterovich, a blood cholesterol researcher, said it is possible that screening could have eliminated a need for bypass surgery.
The right type of cholesterol can have benefits to the body. Physicians believe HDL cholesterol in particular carries bad cholesterol away from the arteries to the liver, where it is eventually expelled from the body.
Doctors can check cholesterol levels with a blood test.
Headline Link: 'Heart Rate Test Urged for Kids'
Ensuring children maintain a healthy diet is one of the first steps parents can take toward controlling their children’s cholesterol. “What is lost these days is the family meal,” said Dr. Daniel Levy. “Families who shop, cook and prepare meals together are generally healthier, have a better outlook on nutrition and have lower cholesterol levels.”
Source: Baltimore Sun
Background: Childhood obesity rates
Despite widespread fears about an obesity epidemic, childhood obesity rates in the United States have stayed the same since 1999, according to a government study.
Source: findingDulcinea
Opinion & Analysis: Thoughts on the guidelines
“The push to aggressively screen and medicate for high cholesterol in children is certain to create controversy amid a continuing debate about the use of prescription drugs in children,” writes The New York Times. Supporters of the AAP’s new cholesterol guidelines say there is mounting evidence that indicators of heart disease appear during childhood, however. The risk of administering cholesterol-lowering drugs to kids is “less than the benefit you’re going to get out of it,” stated Dr. Jatinder Bhatia.
Source: The New York Times (free registration may be required)
Dr. Marion Nestle, professor of nutrition, food studies and public health at New York University, expressed surprise that the AAP has recommended that children at risk of heart disease and obesity start using cholesterol-lowering drugs. “Why isn’t this nutrition committee advising the public to stop drinking so many sodas,” Nestle asked.
Source: The Takeaway
Related Topics: Childhood obesity; obesity gene
Studies have shown that childhood obesity can be curbed when kids eat a healthy school lunch. However, spiking prices of milk, grain, produce and meat are forcing schools to consider rolling back healthy food initiatives in favor of less expensive, high-calorie alternatives.
Source: findingDulcinea
Obesity may be a genetic problem, according to The Advertiser. After comparing genomes of 13,000 obese individuals to a normal control group, scientists found three mutations in the PCSK1 gene that increased the risk of obesity. The PCSK1 gene helps turn inactive hormones that control appetite and regulate metabolism into active hormones.
Source: The Advertiser
Reference: Obesity, heart and cholesterol resources
Several elements make up a person’s cholesterol count, including LDL and HDL cholesterol. LDL cholesterol (“bad”) is problematic because it doesn’t dissolve in the blood and can accumulate to form plaque on the walls of arteries feeding the heart and brain. HDL cholesterol (“good”), on the other hand, may prevent heart attacks.
Source: American Heart Association
Use the findingDulcinea Heart Attack Web Guide to learn what a heart attack is, and how one is diagnosed and treated.
Source: findingDulcinea
FindingDulcinea’s Web Guide to Obesity offers overviews of the condition, descriptions of its causes and effects on the body, and explanations of how it can be prevented and treated. The Guide includes resources specific to obesity in children.
Source: findingDulcinea
© 2009 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
