Sadly, this is reality. I read in the NY Times today that the American Academy of Pediatrics is recommending putting children as young as eight on cholesterol-lowering statin drugs. My disbelief was shared by many, as the comments piled up along these lines:
1. This is insane.
2. These drugs aren't even safe for adults
3. There is no evidence that these drugs actually do anything for most people: healthy men, women or people over 70
4. Why aren't we focusing on the real problems: we're drowning in processed food, high fructose corn syrup, we cut "non-essential" school services like PE, and don't subsidize healthy food and health care for all people
5. Are you you kidding me?
Even doctors agreed. From today's Time's article:
“To be frank, I’m embarrassed for the A.A.P. today,” said Dr. Lawrence Rosen of Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, vice chairman of an academy panel on traditional and alternative medicine. He added: “Treatment with medications in the absence of any clear data? I hope they’re ready for the public backlash.”
But will the backlash get us to the conversations that need to be had? I flashed back to a clip I heard on NPR the other morning, about a school in France battling obesity by championing fresh, local, cooked (as opposed to frozen microwaved) meals prepared by a chef. Does this not make way more sense that allowing fast food in schools then putting all those now obese and diabetic kids on statins? I mean. COME. ON. PEOPLE.
2 comments:
I am lying down with the smelling salts.
For seriously! I think the only thing that will revive me is lunch at that school in France.
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