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National Survey: Americans Unaware that Heart Disease Begins in ChildhoodAmerican Heart Association Panel Discussing Prevention of Heart Disease Risk In Youth; Simple Dietary Changes Can Make a Significant Difference |
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National Association of Margarine Manufacturers ForumsHealth, Safety, Nutrition and KidsRelated ArticlesPromoting Physical Activity and Exercise among ChildrenRelated WebsiteAmerican Heart AssocationInformation and news releases furnished by the members of PR Newswire, who are responsible for their fact and content. |
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If you're one of those Americans who believes heart disease does not begin developing until middle age, you're not alone. This misperception is widespread. A new national survey, conducted by Opinion Research Corporation, reveals that most Americans (78 percent) are not aware that the signs of heart disease actually begin developing during childhood. The fact is that overweight and sedentary children, especially those who are "junk food junkies" with diets high in saturated fat, are well on their way to becoming adults with significant risk for heart disease. This potential epidemic has led heart-health professionals to hold a special session on kids and heart disease risk during the American Heart Association's (AHA) annual Scientific Sessions in Anaheim this week. Clinical research has now confirmed that elevated cholesterol levels in children are directly associated with the development of atherosclerosis (arterial plaque build-up) starting at a young age. Studies continue to confirm that diet does matter, even in children, when it comes to heart health. The most recent study on the subject, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and conducted by Dr. Margo Denke, professor of medicine and nutrition researcher at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, confirmed that simple dietary substitutions make a difference in lowering cholesterol levels, not only in adults but also in children. This groundbreaking research revealed that the entire family can benefit from a heart-healthy diet, as cholesterol levels were dramatically lowered in adults and children when they switched from butter (saturated fat diet) to margarine (unsaturated fat diet). After just six weeks, cholesterol levels were lowered by 10 percent in both adults and children on the margarine diet. Dr. Denke, a member of the National Cholesterol Education Program's (NCEP) expert panel on the treatment of high cholesterol, noted that the dietary habits parents teach to their children are important. "Our study confirms the recommendations of both the American Heart Association and the National Cholesterol Education Program -- that choosing margarine over butter makes a difference. If you consume a low saturated fat diet, you're going to get lower blood cholesterol levels and a lower risk for heart disease," said Denke. "What children eat today makes a difference tomorrow -- not just fifty years later," she added. "Simple heart-healthy changes in eating habits that are introduced early are more likely to be maintained for life." The Opinion Research survey also found that there are several things parents say they could be doing more of to help their children, and their entire family, eat a more heart-healthy diet. Most mentioned were:
The survey also found that three-fourths (76%) of parents say they have never had their oldest child's cholesterol levels checked. To make matters worse, nearly half (46%) of parents admit that their child either is a "junk food junkie" or eats healthfully only part of the time. This past spring, the NCEP issued updated guidelines for the detection, evaluation and treatment of high blood cholesterol in adults, which included this recommendation: "Everyone older than age 2 should care about cholesterol to reduce the risk of developing heart disease as an adult. Children as well as adults can improve the health of their hearts by following a low-saturated- fat and low-cholesterol diet, avoiding obesity, and being physically active." The American Heart Association Internet site -- http://www.americanheart.org - - offers tips for making simple dietary changes to make the entire family's diet more heart-healthy. For more information about Dr. Denke's research, visit http://www.margarine.org Note: The national survey, comprised of a nationally representative sample of 2002 adults, was conducted in August 2001. The survey was conducted by Opinion Research Corporation International and was sponsored by the National Association of Margarine Manufacturers (NAMM), a non-profit trade association founded in 1936. The sample reliability is +/- 4 percent. The JAMA study was supported by a grant from the United Soybean Board and NAMM, and by the General Clinical Research Center at UT Southwestern (U.S. Public Health Service grant). Date: 11/15/01 |