Dyslipidemia and Pediatric Obesity

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States despite a reduction in mortality over the past 4 decades. Much of this success is attributed to public health efforts and more aggressive treatment of clinical disease. The rising rates of obesity and diabetes, especially among adolescents and young adults, raise concern for increases in mortality. National vital statistics have shown a leveling of cardiovascular disease death rates in the fifth decade of life. Public health efforts have begun to address childhood obesity. This article reviews the dyslipidemia associated with obesity in childhood and outlines a proposed approach to management.