In spite of growing obesity levels for American children, a new government study shows child cholesterol levels have dropped in the last decade. Lead researcher Dr. Brian Kit of the CDC says this could be the result of a decrease in foods high in trans fats.
Kit and his colleagues examined health records from 16,000 children in three-year groupings from 1988-94, 1999-2002 and 2007-10. The records all included blood tests for cholesterol levels. They found both cholesterol and triglycerides both decreased between the three groups.
The study offered no research on a possible explanation for the decrease, but peer reviewer Marion Nestle of New York University said she is hopeful it is a result of decreased trans fats.
"I love the idea that reduced use of hydrogenated trans fats might be responsible. If so — and as usual it's clear that more research is needed — it would mean that public health measures like the trans fat ban in New York City are actually doing enough good to be measurable," she said.
The study can be found in the August 7 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
by RTT Staff Writer
For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com
Health News