Give a kid a pill.

[MiloMorai]

http://www.wtam.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=122520&article=3922475

Study suggests kids be given cholesterol-fighting drugs

Doctor's trying to prevent heart disease at an early age.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Cleveland Clinic Director of Adolescent Medicine Dr. Ellen Rome talks with Newsradio WTAM 1100's Carmen Angelo.

(Chicago) - The American Academy of Pediatrics says some children as young as eight should be given cholesterol-fighting drugs to help ward off future heart problems.

That’s a significant change from the group's previous policy, which said cholesterol-reducing drugs should only be considered in children older than 10 who have weight problems. But the academy's nutrition committee says mounting evidence shows that damage leading to heart disease begins early in life.

The committee also notes there's research showing cholesterol drugs are generally safe for children.

Under the new guidelines, the drugs would be given to children as young as eight who have too much so-called `bad' cholesterol.

The academy is also recommending cholesterol testing for children as young as two - and, for the first time, it's recommending that even one-year-olds should be given low-fat milk, in cases where overweight or obesity `is a concern.' One doctor on the panel acknowledges that could include virtually all children.

Statins are safe for children? They play hell with the body of adults!

http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2003/09/16/statins030916.html
http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp?requestURI=/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/cholesterol-reducing_drugs.jsp

[moot]

Why not just exercise?

[Ripsnort]

The problem we already have is our society thinks everything can be solved with a pill.  It's very unfortunate.  Eating right, excercising and nurturing this into a child's life will be much more effective in the long term although the drug companies will not profit as much from this old fashioned nurturing.

[Nefarious]

Why not just exercise?

You mean Physical Work? Kids these days can't do that.  

[moot]

No kidding.. Healthy mind in a healthy body.. Common sense.  If they're raised right, kids of around that age ought to be raring for any opportunity to explode with physical effort.. "Pills"

[Fulmar]

That article isn't mentioning that it is being used in kid's with a family history of high cholesterol.  I agree with the use in this case, but outside that they should be implementing chain gangs for these kids

[texasmom]

Did y'all see that movie Wall-E... where everyone's humungo & sits 24-7 in those recliner chairs?  That must be the image of our children & children's children to these guys who are recommending this.  And you're right.  They must not also have any children of their own.  Mine don't stop moving from the time they wake up until the time they go to sleep, save a few minutes sitting at the table for each meal.  Even then... it's mostly planning with their brothers on what activity they'll be completing after the meal-break. 

How about substitute a bicycle for that pill... & some healthy meals at the table during their break-times.

[Baitman]

Give out pills

Just get the kids out of the house, doesn't matter if they go willingly at least they are going to be exercising.

Being a father of six I know kids are all different. Some will exercises without even thinking about it (playing tag) others have to be made to get up before noon and do chores. Helps I live on a farm with endless thing to do. My mom always found "work" for me as a kid if I ever declared I was "Bored"

It is our slackard way of life now that demands a pill for everything

[Xasthur]

How about substitute a bicycle for that pill... & some healthy meals at the table during their break-times.

Indeed, Txmom. One would hope that the next generation of parents are better educated when it comes to dietary requirements. Kids need to learn how to eat well before they can do it and that responsibility falls squarely on the shoulders of the parents.

[Ripsnort]

You mean Physical Work? Kids these days can't do that.  

I have a 12 year old mowing the lawn and the 9 year old weeding the garden as I type. Genetically-related Slave labor is a wonderful thing!

[Baitman]

I hear you Rip I had to endure it so should my kids.

[lasersailor184]

That article isn't mentioning that it is being used in kid's with a family history of high cholesterol.  I agree with the use in this case, but outside that they should be implementing chain gangs for these kids

But considering that properly used pills account for 20-40% (guess) of proper use for each kind of drug?  Soon every kid would be on it even a couple are.

[Baitman]

I am not a Scientologist or an Oat eater but I do believe in hard work and let nature cure what ails you.

[myelo]

Eating right, excercising and nurturing this into a child's life will be much more effective in the long term ...

The problem is parents aren't teaching this. Almost every overweight, out of shape kid with a crappy diet has an overweight, out of shape parent with a crappy diet.

[Joker]

While healthy diet and exercise are cornerstones of treatment, and are certainly important for our kids, I do agree that in selected cases medications such as statins would be beneficial. In some cases lifestyle changes are just not enough, and prior to statins we had no real effective treatment for these folks.
This would have to be in children with a strong family history of high cholesterol as well as having a seriously abnormal lipid profile themselves. The treatment would have to be monitored closely, as the drugs are clearly not without side effects. The almost lifetime length of exposure in such cases would also be a new twist in lipid management.
Autopsy studies in the past ( Korean conflict IIRC ) did show significant plaque formation in young service men, so we know that this disease begins early in life.
Obviously, this is not something that most kids would need.

  Joker