EON

More Ontario kids receive failing grades for poor eating, exercise and lifestyle habits, and they may lessen their overall lifespan. The Heart and Stroke Foundation reports that today’s children need quick intervention to ward off shortened lifespan due to poor heart health caused by current body maintenance habits.

Foundation spokesperson Dr. Robert Hegele, who is also a University of Western Ontario researcher and professor warned parents and others that children need a “wake-up call” now or they will be doomed to future experiences with heart disease, overweight, and related illness. He cited disappointment in findings that children are consuming high fat snacks and fewer vegetables even with the existing knowledge of the potential for harm caused by poor eating. Lack of exercise and couch potato lifestyles add to the mix of problems.

Looking at the study of 6 to 12 year olds, predictions are that this generation will not outlive their parents based on a continued lifestyle of poor eating, lack of exercise and sedentary lifestyles. Higher prices for healthy food and cheap junk food availability at low prices are cited as possible contributory factors. Dr. Hegele said at a London conference that physical activity and eating habits had not improved as was expected. He advised parents to look closely at their children’s habits, and to guide them towards better lifestyle activities all year around. The recent 2009 study of Ontario children showed just one out of eight children was eating properly, despite knowledge of the dangers of poor nutrition.