Time for Testing?

A recent study by the CDC shows that  blood lipids are elevated in many kids. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted over 7 years (1999-2006) shows that 25% of teenage boys and 16% of teenage girls have elevated lipid values. These are kids ranging from slim to obese.

They made no suggestion as to interventions, however. Some experts have gone so far as to suggest screening early in life; even in infants. I have my own views about lack of wisdom of such an aggressive approach.

http://www.glgroup.com/News/Screening-babies-for-cholesterol-has--no-scientific-basis-17536.html

Once a child is found to have high lipids, what does one do?  Statins -the gold standard for treating hyperlipidemia in adults- are rife with their own sets of complications and side effects; not to mention they have not been tested in kids.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests very narrow targeted screening of some kids based on family history and risks of CVD including weight.  Based on weight alone a full 30% of kids should be screened. But again: then what??

I do not think the science suggests any added value from screening kids for high cholesterol or other lipids.

The better approach is to teach kids-all kids- to eat nutritious meals, to engage in regular exercise, and to refrain from starting habits like smoking. Whether a child is at risk for hyperlipidemia (and its sequelae) through heredity, diet or lifestyle, the message should be the same, really.

Amanda:

Interesting blog. Strictly from a scientific point of view there is little evidence that such early screening is of much value. It is better to look at parents to predict risk in children and then to intervene dietarily.

Diet is always the first line of defense to reduce hyperlipidemia. There is a very large subset of people for whom diet by itself is ineffective, however. For them statins are the way to go. But no responsible physician is going to place a kid on statins. Statins have many side effects like flank pain, rhabdomylysis-and those are the least frightening!

The typical American diet is too high in fats, sugars and salt anyway; so teaching kids how they can  eat with friends,  and "still be kids" while reducing these culptits in the diet is the way to go.

The studies touting screening children are usually funded by drug companies. Here is a short piece I did awhile back.

http://www.glgroup.com/News/Screening-babies-for-cholesterol-has--no-scientific-basis-17536.html