Too bad that it's not so simple as that. Yes, diet does matter a lot, but it certainly isn't the whole story by any means. Exercise is definitely important for increasing HDL levels, for example. Genetics play an important role- evidence of this is found in people who watch their diet like hawks, exercise like it's going out of style, and yet their lipids are still out of control. Also, there's the issue of liver chemistry (where cholesterol is made) as well as bowel function (where cholesterol is absorbed). It's an incredibly complicated issue- so complicated that there's a whole subspecialty of cardiology called lipidology or lipid medicine.

But I would agree that statins are over-prescribed, and that's largely because it's easier to prescribe or pop a pill than it is to effect real behavior change. Somehow, people seem to think that it's OK to wolf down a 16oz porterhouse with a baked potato drenched in butter and sour cream, followed by a slice or two of banana cream pie and a six-pack of beer- as long as you're taking your Lipitor.