But, new studies show that kids should worry about what they eat. Fatty build up called Artherosclerosis, the lesions that eventually lead to heart attacks, can be present in the arteries of kids as young as 12 or 13. The condition intensifies quickly with a high fat diet. It s pretty clear that the process that ends up killing more people than anything else in the country actually starts at a young age, says Dr. Harold Weschler, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What Parents Should Know Studies show that poor diet and inactivity cause at least 300,000 deaths among U. S. adults each year.
Parents can prevent long term problems by establishing good eating habits in the early years.
Find out what your child s school is doing to promote healthy eating. Provide healthy snacks rather than high fat trendy snacks for sporting events, birthday parties, and school events. Make mealtime fun by offering healthy foods prepared in creative ways. Allow children to be part of the preparation of meals and take pride in the kinds of foods they choose to eat. Set family goals for healthy eating.