by Nobel Laureate in Medicine Dr. Louis Ignarro and Naturopathic Physician Dr. Andrew Myers

Dr. Andrew Myers: Prevention Should Start Early

As parents, we are charged with the safety and well-being of our kids.  That means paying attention to things like seat belts, bicycling helmets, cross walks and “stranger danger”.  But one of the biggest factors that most parents overlook is disease prevention for their children.

I know, it sounds a bit far-fetched; we as parents tend to think “All kids are healthy, right?”  Not according to the research.
A number of studies over the past several years point to childhood obesity as a major risk factor for heart disease.  A study published in the journal Pediatrics, showed the inflammatory changes that cause heart disease were clearly present at age 3 and worsened up to the age of 17.  Other research, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, shows that childhood obesity is the strongest factor linked to premature disease-associated death, more than doubling the risk.

So when we think about protecting our children, we need to add their health to the top of the list.

By The Numbers: Heart Disease Risk and Kids
According to national statistics, about 10 percent of adolescents aged 12 to 19 have high cholesterol – total cholesterol levels above 200 mg/dL. (NHANES III [1988-94], CDC/NCHS)
The well-known Bogalusa Heart Study found that overweight children between the ages of 5 and 17 were more than twice as likely to have high cholesterol levels as those of normal weight children.
About 80 percent of people who use tobacco begin before age 18. Smoking tobacco increases blood pressure, decreases exercise tolerance and increases the tendency for blood to clot. (http://www.oas.samhsa.gov) and (http://www.americanheart.org)
37.2 percent of high school students spend three or more hours a day watching TV.
According to the Framingham Children’s Study, by the end of adolescence, BMI (a measure of obesity) was highest for those children who watched the most television during childhood.
Being responsible as a parent can help your child avoid obesity, heart disease and diabetes later in life. So how can we best shape the health and wellness of our children?

Well, the problems that lead to heart disease in adults, turn out to be the same in children – poor diet, a sedentary lifestyle and excess weight gain.

Here’s what the American Heart Association says, “Children age 2 years and older should be encouraged to eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily as well as a wide variety of other foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Doing this will help them maintain normal blood cholesterol levels and promote cardiovascular health.” (www.americanheart.org)

Here are five solid recommendations to consider as you seek to promote your children’s health:
Provide your children with a safe and secure home full of love and support.
Be a good example of a healthy lifestyle by eating right, exercising frequently and maintaining a healthy weight.
Feed your kids lots of vegetables, fruit, whole grains and a variety of foods low in saturated fat and high in nutrition.
Turn off the television and find ways to build movement (and exercise) into your children’s life.
Use love and recognition to reward your children, not sweets and candy.
As a physician, and a parent, I urge you to consider the opportunity that you have to promote your children’s health by making sound choices for yourself and for them.  By building a healthy lifestyle for your family, you may be giving your children the greatest gift anyone can bestow:  a lifetime of good health.

Read more at http://www.HealthIsWealth.net