A cholesterol-lowering diet does not produce adverse psychological effects in children: three-year results from the dietary intervention study in children.
The Dietary Intervention Study in Children (DISC), a 2-arm, multicenter intervention study, examined the efficacy and safety of a diet lower in total fat, saturated fatty acids, and cholesterol than the typical American child's diet. A total of 663 8- to 10-year-old children with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were randomly assigned to either an intervention or a usual-care group. Intervention included group and individual counseling sessions to assist participants in adopting a dietary pattern containing 28% or less of calories from total fat (<8% as saturated fat, up to 9% as polyunsaturated fat, and 11% as monounsaturated fat) and dietary cholesterol intake of less than 75 mg/1,000 kcal. The dietary intervention reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and 3-year results showed no adverse effects for children in the intervention group in terms of academic functioning, psychological symptoms, or family functioning.
Lavigne
J V
JV
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Children's Memorial Hospital and Northwestern University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60614, USA. j-lavigne@nwu.edu
Brown
K M
KM
Gidding
S
S
Evans
M
M
Stevens
V J
VJ
von Almen
T K
TK
Ewart
C
C
Weil
C
C
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002648:Child; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health
D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D004041:Dietary Fats