CHILD HEALTH AND NUTRITION - OBESITY AND HIGH BLOOD CHOLESTEROL

Background. The epidemiology of obesity and high blood cholesterol in children is discussed, along with strategies for the prevention of the se two disorders and mention of some nutrition and child health resear ch and education programs supported by the National Heart, Lung, and B lood Institute (NHLBI). Conclusions. Available data confirm that both obesity and high blood cholesterol levels in U.S. children are higher than optimal and that the benefit of reducing the prevalence of these conditions in childhood will be realized in adulthood. Current NHLBI-s upported research and education activities focus on unanswered questio ns about the childhood predictors of transition to the obese state, th e feasibility, efficacy, and safety of long-term dietary intervention in children, and the effects of school-based intervention that include classroom curriculum and school environmental changes related to food intake, physical activity, and tobacco use and dissemination of mater ials that promote nutrition and cardiovascular health in children and adolescents. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.