Pilot Study on Cholesterol Screening in Middle School Children
Overview of the Issue
An American pilot study has focused on assessing high cholesterol levels in middle-school children as a potential indicator of underlying heart issues and diabetes. Obesity has become a global epidemic affecting adults and children across various ethnicities. Elevated cholesterol in children is closely associated with weight problems and is often accompanied by other signs of lipid disorders and glucose intolerance, which together increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Recommendations from Health Organizations
Pediatric health organizations in the United States and worldwide strongly advocate for the screening of children in schools for indicators of obesity, diabetes, lipid imbalances, and hypertension. High cholesterol serves as one of the key markers for these conditions. It may signal either an active or silent heart issue, or a metabolic disorder in both normal and overweight children. Additionally, elevated blood glucose levels can indicate a risk of type 2 diabetes.
Current Screening Practices
Despite the established recommendations for screening schoolchildren for type 2 diabetes, such screenings are not routinely conducted in schools. As a result, high cholesterol and other risk factors often remain undetected in children.
The Study Conducted
A recent study published in the Journal of Pediatrics tackled this concern. Led by Dr. Siegel and colleagues from the Cincinnati Children’s Heart Institute in Ohio, the pilot study screened for complications associated with weight, high blood glucose levels, and high cholesterol in children. The study involved 45 children from Norwood Middle School, aged 12 to 14 years, who were in the seventh and eighth grades. The demographic breakdown included 71% Caucasian, 16% Black, and 9% Hispanic participants.
Findings and Observations
Dr. Siegel expressed surprise at the findings related to diabetes screening. The results indicated that 34% of the children had either elevated cholesterol or HbA1C levels, while 42% were classified as overweight or obese. Notably, two children were diagnosed with diabetes and referred for pediatric evaluation and treatment, while another two exhibited cholesterol levels that indicated a high risk of heart disease.
Expert Commentary
Dr. Siegel remarked that the discovery of high cholesterol in children is not unexpected, noting, “Most studies show that around 20% of kids will have abnormalities… our message is to get screened, eat right, and get out and play.” He advocates for the routine screening of cholesterol and diabetes as a preventive measure, emphasizing the need for further research to determine parents’ preferences regarding screening locations, whether at a doctor’s office or in schools.
Conclusion
The study highlights the feasibility of conducting screenings for high cholesterol and other cardiovascular and diabetes-related risk factors in school settings. These findings may enhance compliance among parents and students regarding these important health assessments.
Written by Marina Chemerovski-Glikman, PhD
Reference: Siegel RM, Strasser K, Faust M, Hudgens M, Robison D, Urbina EM. A Pilot study of school-based comprehensive cardiovascular screening in middle school children. J Pediatr. 2019.