Quick facts on
kids’ heart health
■■
A study published in the
Journal of the American College
of Cardiology
found that teen
smokers are more likely to die of
heart disease. It also found that
people who started smoking
during their adolescent years and
continued that habit the rest of
their lives were twice as likely to
die early as were non-smokers.
■■
Children who are obese may
have an even higher risk for
heart disease, diabetes and other
weight-related diseases later in
life than thought, according to a
study published in the journal
BMJ
.
The study found that, compared
to healthy-weight children,
obese children had significantly
higher blood pressure, cholesterol
and blood sugar levels as well
as thicker heart muscles. This
was particularly true for obese
girls, who had far higher blood
pressure.
T
oday heart disease
begins earlier than ever,
now creeping down to
children. According to
the American Heart Association
(AHA), about 1 of 3 American
kids and teens is overweight or
obese, nearly triple the rate in
1963. Obesity is causing a broad
range of health problems that
previously weren’t seen until
adulthood, including high blood
pressure, type 2 diabetes and
elevated blood cholesterol levels.
If these trends continue, today’s
kids could be the first generation
to live shorter lives than their
parents.
“Heart disease transcends
every level of society,” said
Kevin Marsh, MD, medical director,
Kadlec Pediatric Hospitalist Service,
“and we are now seeing signs of
coronary artery disease at a much
younger age. We are seeing type 2
diabetes in children, and it used to
be only an adult problem. We have
seen signs of prediabetes at a very,
very young age.”
The buildup of fatty plaque
in the arteries can begin in
childhood and progresses as
a person becomes an adult,
according to the AHA.
The good news is that there
are some things that can be
done to turn this trend around.
Families can help develop active
lifestyles, healthy eating habits
and other general heart-healthy
lives. Teaching a child heart-
healthy techniques will carry
into adulthood and decrease the
chances of developing heart disease
later in life.
Here are a few tips to get started.
■■
Be a role model.
If you eat right
and lead an active life, the kids
around you will take note of your
efforts.
■■
Set aside time for exercise
and active play
— and include
yourself in the activity. Take a walk
or bike ride as a family. Swim. Play
a game of hide-and-seek. Aim for
60 minutes of activity a day. You
will all benefit.
■■
Limit screen time.
Again, this
goes for everyone in the family.
Unlimited screen time can lead to
a sedentary lifestyle and excessive
snacking. Limit everyone to two
hours a day.
■■
Fill your house with healthy
snacks.
What’s your go-to food
for a snack? Fruits or veggies, or
something loaded with sugar and
trans fats? Clear your house of the
unhealthy things and replace them
with healthy ones.
■■
Limit salt intake.
Teach kids,
and yourself, to appreciate the
natural flavor of foods or foods
seasoned with spices and herbs.
■■
Watch portion size.
That’s a
good tip for all of us.
IT'S NOT TOO
early
TO TAKE CARE OF A HEART
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