Children need a safe environment in which to be active, and the opportunity to develop the skills fundamental to rewarding participation in physical activity. Parents who model desired behaviour by being active themselves and by encouraging and supporting their children's physical activity can have a powerful influence. Serial growth measures are an excellent way to monitor growth and nutritional status during childhood. Serial growth measurements are particularly useful for monitoring the development of overweight or obesity. All major cardiovascular risk factors can begin in childhood.
Research provides a strong justification for reducing risk factors in young persons.
Children may develop fatty streaks in their aortas from as young as four years of age, and even in the coronary vessels before they are 10. Early screening for risk factors is recommended in children from high risk families with established early atherosclerosis in close family members. Osteoporosis is also a major public health problem owing to the morbidity and mortality associated with fractures. Although these fractures occur late in life, the pathogenesis of osteoporosis may begin in childhood. Low peak bone mineral density in adulthood may be a more important determinant of osteoporosis than age-related bone mass.