Diet and atherosclerosis: recommendations of a pediatrician
Roy, C.C.
Progress in Clinical and Biological Research 67: 391-396
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0361-7742 PMID: 7301858 Document Number: 172004
Atherosclerosis (AS) is the leading cause of death in Canada, but it cannot be ascribed to a single underlying factor. Overlapping major (hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, smoking) and minor (obesity, abnormal glucose tolerance test, physical inactivity, phychosocial tensions) risk factors in the same individuals, nonetheless, increase the probability of coronary artery disease (CAD). The role of pediatricians in preventing AS (or in altering its progression) extends far beyond the formulation of dietary recommendations. The concept of AS initiation by the appearance of fatty streak in the aortas of almost all children by age 10 (regardless of diet and CAD incidence) remains controversial. The complex diet-heart disease relationship has been studied through animal experiments and human epidemiology, but there are no simple connections between dietary cholesterol and saturated fat, serum lipids, and advanced AS. The important question is whether dietary recommendations should be made for all children or only for those identified as being at high risk. A set of 8 recommendations based on identified premises are presented as guidelines. (wz)