Childhood obesity can lead to adverse health effects. One of these is that kids are now developing high cholesterol, which results in the increased distribution of medications. This practice is in contrast to research which suggests that their cholesterol may go down naturally, without the use of drugs.
Lowering Cholesterol
The study, published in Pediatrics, found that children who had high cholesterol levels had lower levels, no longer requiring medication, after four years without the use of intervention. Research also shows that proper nutrition and exercise are beneficial and can aid in lowering cholesterol levels. On the other hand, there are some children (and adults) who genetically have high cholesterol and need to take medications because diet and exercise are simply not enough to lower it. However, those who develop high cholesterol as a result of poor diet and/or obesity should first try to lower it through healthy diet and exercise.
Recommendations
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends weight management as the primary treatment for overweight or obese children with high cholesterol. Weight management and weight loss are achieved through adoption of a healthy diet and through physical activity, a simple practice followed by any weight loss camp or weight loss program. In addition, drugs for lowering cholesterol should only be considered in children who are eight years or older with extremely high cholesterol and a family history of early heart disease.
Written by Camp Shane nutritionist, Jessica Bouchard
Source: http://www.toyourhealth.com/mpacms/tyh/article.php?id=1337
