NEW GUIDELINES ON CHILDHOOD OBESITY

July 7, 2008 Health    Print    Email this Article   No Comments

The American academy of pediatrics is putting out new guidelines to fight childhood obesity.
It now suggests kids as young as eight start taking cholesterol-fighting drugs known as statins to lower their cholesterol and ward off future health problems.
It also recommends cholesterol testing for kids as young as two.
Fox’s Jennifer Ashton says giving children statins is just another step in preventing problems for kids at high risk.
“Ashton says: “the American academy of pediatrics has made no bones about saying that they’re emphasis is still primarily on modifying diet and behavior. That having been said, we all know that only can take us so far and for children with a hereditary form of high cholesterol, that will not make a big dent in preventing the consequences of high cholesterol and that’s where this class of medication may be useful in the future.”
For the first time ever — the academy is also recommending one-year-olds drink low-fat milk instead of whole if obesity is a concern.
The academy had recommended *against* reduced-fat milk in the past for children up to age two.
It said saturated fats are needed for brain development.