Preventing Heart Disease in Children Increasingly, experts in
the field of cardiology are seeing an increase in risk factors
for heart disease in young children. Studies of young adults,
ages 29 to 39, who currently have heart disease and have been
monitored since childhood, show that there were three factors
that were present when they were younger: —High blood pressure
—High blood fats (cholesterol and triglycerides) The way
children lived their lives had a significant influence on
whether or not they developed high blood sugar, high blood fats
and obesity. Those who ate well, got regular exercise and didn't
smoke cigarettes were most likely to have better heart health.
Some good guidelines to follow There's so much parents can do to
help prevent their children from developing heart disease. Here
are some guidelines: —Decrease the amount of added sugars in
your child's diet. You'll find a lot of added sugars in soft
drinks, juiced, fruit-added yogurt, milkshakes from fast-food
restaurants, sugary cereals, m