Nutrition
Anna Duran, MD, a pediatrician and chief medical officer at The University of New Mexico Children’s Hospital, said far too often many children she sees have risk factors that could lead to serious health problems.
Her observations are supported by a recent report from the New Mexico Public Education Department that reveals nearly 43 percent of third grade students in our state are considered overweight or obese, creating a serious concern for rising rates of heart diseases and diabetes.
No parent wants to hear their child is obese. But when you have that information about your child, you can immediately begin changing the trajectory of your child’s life.
Duran says it’s important to make sure children have well-balanced diets that include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats. Parents should avoid giving their children highly processed foods or foods high in salt, sugar, or saturated fats.
Duran also stresses the importance of teaching your children proper food portions. For example, instead of allowing your child to munch on a bag of potato chips, count out a specific number of chips to offer your child. Once they eat that set amount of chips, snack time is done.
Movement
Video games and screen time lead to hours of sitting around, preventing children from getting enough movement every day. Duran encourages parents to set limits on gaming and screen time and make room for active play.
“Kids should have one hour of physical activity every day,” said Duran. “Encourage your children to play outdoors and engage in sports. Go on walks as a family. If parents can participate in the physical activity with their children, that’s even better!”
If parents teach their children the importance of incorporating movement into their day at an early age, those values will carry into adulthood, Duran said.
Regular Health Checkups
Establishing care with a pediatrician and maintaining regular health checkups is important for all aspects of your child’s overall health, including heart health.
“Seeing a pediatrician routinely is super important,” Duran said. “Your pediatrician will help to catch any early signs of heart disease that can be seen as a risk factor, such as obesity, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.”
Regular health checkups with a pediatrician help ensure that children are growing and developing properly while detecting any potential health issues early. They also provide an opportunity for parents to receive guidance on preventive care, vaccinations and overall well-being.
Carry Healthy Heart Habits into Adulthood
While heart disease mostly presents in adults, preventive care must begin in childhood. Duran adds that parents model healthy behavior for their children.
“When parents are active and eating healthy foods, the children in the home are much more likely to do the same,” she said.
Parents have a tremendous responsibility preparing their children for adulthood, but none may be greater than teaching them to find the path to healthy living.