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National Report Echoes Public Health Messages Posted 13 July 2008 Prevention is key to reducing cholesterol and future heart disease in children   A recent report by the American Academy of Pediatrics is another reminder of the childhood obesity epidemic the U.S. is facing. In addition to recommending wider cholesterol screening in children and, in some cases, the use of cholesterol-lowering drugs for high-risk children, the report also echoes prevention messages being delivered by public health in Iowa and across the nation.   “We know that children with high cholesterol are likely to have high cholesterol levels as adults, greatly increasing their risk for heart disease such as heart attack and stroke,” said Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) Deputy State Epidemiologist and pediatrician, Dr. Ken Soyemi. “We also know the power of parents as role models and their ability to influence good eating and regular physical activity in their children.”   A challenge for Iowa children and their parents, Soyemi admits, are the available food choices. Although trans fats­the worst kind of fat for LDL (bad) cholesterol­is being reduced by manufacturers of prepared foods, saturated fats are still abundant in foods marketed to both children and adults, especially fried foods. Fruits and vegetables, on the other hand, contain no cholesterol, but don’t have the same kind of following as fast food. Among Iowa 9th to 12th graders responding to the 2007 Iowa Youth Behavioral Survey, less than 19 percent ate the recommended five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day during the past week. Healthy eating includes emphasizing fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and choosing low-fat milk and milk products, lean meats, poultry, fish beans, eggs, and nuts.   Additionally, children in Iowa are not getting enough physical activity. According to the same survey, 50 percent of youth reported they had not been physically active for the recommended one hour or more each day of the past week. Physical activity primarily affects HDL (good) cholesterol and triglyceride levels, but improvements of LDL (bad) cholesterol levels have also been documented. Physical activity solutions include ensuring that children are more physically active through unstructured and structured play, organized team sports, and family recreational activity.   To learn about the state plan for decreasing obesity and chronic disease in Iowa through nutrition and increased physical activity, visit “Iowans Fit for Life” on the IDPH Web site at www.idph.state.ia.us/iowansfitforlife. For more information regarding dietary cholesterol, visit www.mypyramid.gov.

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