Healthy starts with developing healthy habits

It’s never too early – or too late!

Like other parents, I want my kids to grow up healthy and happy.

In today’s world there is easy access to food that’s delicious but not always nutritious, and fun that’s always available but not active. So, it’s easier than ever to make children happy and more difficult than ever to keep them healthy.

In increasing numbers every day, our caregivers in Pediatrics are seeing children who are developing health issues typically seen in adults. We’re seeing children who have high cholesterol, high blood pressure and earlier onset of diabetes. What this means for long-term health problems is scary.

The cause? Much like 40% of American adults, children are carrying excess weight. About 1 in 6 children ages 2-19 are noted to be obese. In clinical terms, obesity for children is typically defined as having a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex.

It’s important to be aware of your child’s weight. Children grow at different rates throughout the ages. It isn’t always easy to know when a child is overweight. We watch and track how your child is growing at every well-child checkup from birth on. Starting at age 2, we look at potential for obesity. We’re always here to offer support and help you improve your child’s health.

We all know that kids can be picky eaters. Snacks marketed for children are often not healthy options and can be packed with hidden sugar and empty calories. Unless you examine labels, you may think that fruit juice, granola bars and cute crackers shaped to appeal to kids are healthy options. But those are often just empty calories and provide no nutrition.

It’s important to make fruits and vegetables part of a normal day. Fresh fruit and vegetables such as apples, oranges, cucumbers and carrot sticks make great snacks and are always the better choice. If nutritious options are easily available instead of the sugary options, that’s what they’ll eventually eat — and probably even enjoy. And, most important, they’ll be healthier and feel better in the long run.

If you have questions about your child’s weight, talk with their pediatrician or your family’s healthcare provider. Answering your questions and helping you find solutions is one of the reasons we’re here for you!