As Kids Gain Weight, Use of Medications Increases

Obesity continues to be a significant problem in children and teenagers and is one of the reasons that more children in the U.S. are taking drugs to treat type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and asthma.

According to a report published in the November 2008 issue of Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the use of medications for type 2 diabetes doubled in children ages 5 to 19. The use of medications to treat high cholesterol in children increased 15%, and for asthma and high blood pressure, the increases were 47% and 2% respectively.

One conclusion of the report is that: “Although drug therapy is effective for treating many chronic conditions in children, the risk of inappropriate use also exists. As chronic prescription use grows, so too do the risks of drug-related adverse effects and drug–drug interactions."

Read the Entire Report: Trends in the Prevalence of Chronic Medication Use in Children: 2002–2005

More Information:

• Childhood Obesity
• Kids Diabetes Alert: Are your kids at risk?

What do you think? Leave a comment below or in the Medication Forum.
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