Cholesterol Drugs for Kids?

Reviewed By:
Rafiu Ariganjoye, M.D., MBA, FAAP

Does your 8-year-old need cholesterol drugs? Maybe, according to hotly disputed new recommendations. But first check out the many other strategies that can control your kids' cholesterol and boost the health of your whole family.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is calling for overweight and other high-risk children as young as 2 years old to have cholesterol blood tests. The suggested treatment for kids with unhealthy levels of blood fats: weight loss, increased exercise, nutritional counseling and, if Junior has hit the ripe old age of 8, cholesterol drugs such as statins.

"To be frank, I'm embarrassed for the AAP today," Dr. Lawrence Rosen of Hackensack University Medical Center told The New York Times. "Treatment with medications in the absence of any clear data? I hope they're ready for the public backlash," said Rosen, vice chairman of an AAP panel on traditional and alternative medicine.

However, Dr. Stephen Daniels, a member of the AAP's nutrition committee, mentioned that the guidelines were based in part on recent research demonstrating the safety of cholesterol-lowering drugs in children, and predicted that the new guidelines would result in long-term health benefits.

The academy says there are good reasons for its revised guidelines. "This report has taken on new urgency given the current epidemic of childhood obesity with the subsequent increasing risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease in older children and adults," the AAP announced in releasing its recommendations. The organization in its statement recommended that children between the ages of 2 and 10 years undergo cholesterol screening if they have a family history of hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol) or heart disease, an unknown family history, or risk factors such as obesity and diabetes.

In fact, the latest federal data suggest that childhood obesity has hit a plateau, at least temporarily, after increasing for decades. Yet related health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease remain a major concern.

Parents can't help noticing the headlines: More than 6 million American kids now have fatty liver disease ... childhood obesity expected to worsen the type 2 diabetes epidemic ... child care can make kids fat ... kids keep downing sugar and other junk food .... So what can you do? Plenty.

First of all, check with your children's pediatrician if you have concerns. Fully discuss the benefits and risks of any recommended medications -- but cholesterol drugs won't be the first line of treatment for most kids. There are many ways to tackle childhood obesity, high cholesterol and related conditions that don't involve side effects. For example:

Set an example. Parents who exercise regularly and eat healthy foods create a powerful role model.
Be active as a family. This may include walks, bicycling, skating, basketball, soccer, tennis, hide and seek, swimming, rock climbing, yoga, Wii Fit -- show that exercise is fun, not a chore.
Promote good sleep habits. Keep regular bedtimes and allow for adequate rest -- recent studies indicate that inadequate sleep may promote obesity and diabetes.
Serve a nutritious breakfast. Skipping the morning meal reduces your child's energy and attention span, and often leads to snacking and weight gain.
Keep nutritious snacks on hand. Tasty examples: apple slices or celery sticks with peanut butter, carrot sticks and cucumber slices with hummus or tabouli, other fruits and vegetables, low-fat cheese and yogurt.
Don't make kids finish every meal or eat when they aren't hungry.
Don't reward or comfort your child with food.
Limit fast food, soda and juices.
Urge schools to serve better meals and restrict junk food and vending machines.
Control TV and computer time. Try writing a contract that sets limits.
Check out the benefits of breastfeeding. Some research has found that this helps babies avoid obesity.

More: Find out what others have to say on the message boards about cholesterol and children, and voice your opinion -- try Child Health, Heart Health, Kids Eating Healthy, Family Fitness, Hot Topics in Health, Breastmilk vs. Formula Debate and others.