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Thomas B. Newman, MD, MPH; Stephen B. Hulley, MD, MPH
University of California, San Francisco

JAMA. 1995;274(18):1424.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

To the Editor.

—We do not share the conclusion of the authors of the DISC study¹ that the "results indicate that children who require dietary change to lower their LDL-C levels may safely and successfully do so under supervision" (emphasis added).

First, although the DISC found no adverse effects on growth, blood chemistry, or psychosocial health, it is not possible, with a 3-year study of only about 300 children per group, to say that the intervention is "safe." Although the diet clearly is not grossly hazardous, the real issue is whether there are uncommon, delayed, or subtle harmful effects that exceed the benefits. Given the small magnitude of the benefits, this question remains unanswered. Harms could be far greater than benefits and could still not be found in this study.

Second, we disagree that the change of 0.08 mmol/L (3.23 mg/dL) in LDL-C achieved with intensive diet treatment (compared . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

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