Miami Herald – JUANITA HUNTER AND SETHU SWAMINATHAN
“Heart disease in children is not a common occurrence, but it is a growing trend. There is mounting concern over the threat to children’s cardiovascular health due to the increasing prevalence of obesity among the pediatric population…It is also known that overweight children are more likely to become obese adults, with associated illnesses and decreases in life expectancy. We thus have the responsibility of promoting heart health for our children to ensure they have the best possible lifelong outcomes. How do we live this heart healthy life? This February, which celebrates Heart Health Month, every parent should sit back and think where their children are in the spectrum of overweight and obesity. If they fall into either of these groups, they should start a game plan that will work for the entire family. “What calories come in from food must go out as calories spent” should be the slogan of the day, as you encourage your kids to be more active.”(more)