Heart health starts in childhood.

It is well known that obesity and being overweight increase the risk of cardiac (heart) disease, and childhood obesity rates are climbing quickly in the United States.

These conditions increase the risk of weight-related complications, such as diabetes, liver disease, and sleep apnea, all of which have an impact on heart health.

There are many factors that contribute to childhood obesity, but the most common causes include dietary intake and decreased activity levels.

Some contributing factors are beyond the control of the child and their family, such as underlying health conditions, emotional stress, or genetics.

It is important to seek the advice of a healthcare provider for evaluation of underlying medical conditions that can contribute to the child’s weight to allow for appropriate treatment.

If there are no treatable medical conditions, other options can be explored. There are recommended intense programs for evaluation and treatment of overweight and obesity, but these are not always easily accessible to some families.

However, there steps families can take at home to help combat overweight and obesity:

• Be ACTIVE. Spend time together being active as a family. Even something as simple as an afternoon or evening walk as a family can have a great impact. Encourage children to participate in active play. Children need at least an hour of moderate to high intensity activity a day.
• Limit SCREEN TIME. Excessive screen time can lead to poor sleep, lower grades in school, and poor mental health.
• Regular SLEEP routines. Sleep is a restorative state. Good healthy sleep is vital to the function of our bodies. To improve childhood sleep, you should: * Remove screens from your child’s room. * Stop screen time one hour prior to the intended bedtime. * Keep a consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends.
• Healthy EATING HABITS. Adopt a healthy eating style as a family. * Eat your meals together as a family as often as possible. Include a balance of vegetables, fruits, and lean protein. * Provide healthy choices for snacks. * Offer treats only for special occasions. Do not use food or treats as a reward. * Minimize calorie intake in beverages, especially if your child is struggling with weight.
• Be a GOOD ROLE MODEL. Children naturally model or repeat what they see. Families that have good habits share those habits.

Be the family that provides a good example and prioritize your child’s heart health. Following a healthy lifestyle is good for the grownups, too.