Healthy habits begin in childhood
Jill and Michael White play with their twin 4-year-old daughters Cassidy and Teagan. |
Jill White, a mother of 4-year-old twins and a teacher at Backus Hospital's Mary Allen Ross Childcare Center, knows the importance of establishing healthy habits in youngsters so it becomes part of their adult lifestyle.
Now, if only the rest of New London County would get on board.
Ms. White, of Norwich, and her husband, Michael White, only allow their daughters Cassidy and Teagan one sugary snack per day, limit television viewing and encourage them to be active.
"Kids need to be active and eat right," Ms. White said. "I know it's hard for single parents and working families, but it's very important."
Preventative health, which is best begun when mom is expecting, is a key to stemming the tide of unhealthy people — in New London County and nationwide, experts say.
Whether it's drinking lots of water, keeping your cholesterol down, or not smoking, these are usually controllable parts of peoples' lives that can play a major role in health and wellness.
An apple a day helps, but disease prevention is becoming much more than that.
"We spend an enormous amount of time, money and effort on treating people who are already sick," said Steven Curland, MD, a member of the Backus medical staff. "It's time to begin concentrating on the other end of the spectrum."
Terry Baksh, MD, a member of the Backus Medical Staff, agreed that healthy habits start in childhood. He said as people grow older, bad habits are harder to break.
He added that there is also the perception that if you have a family history of a certain condition, you will also have it and it isn't worth trying to delay the inevitable.
"That's the wrong attitude to have," Dr. Baksh said. "Part of it is genetic, but you can't just say that your parents were obese and diabetic and therefore you will be, too. At the very least, we can prevent or delay the onset."
Another misconception is that there are "magic pills." For example, he said it is wrong to think that you can eat as much chips and dip as you want just because you are on cholesterol lowering drugs.
Ms. White said it is important that you set a good example for your children, by eating right and exercising along with them. At lunchtime at the daycare, children are required to eat their "healthy choice" first before any chips or juice. They are also encouraged to drink lots of water and go outside to play at least twice daily — weather permitting. If they can't go outside, they do active indoor activities, such as dancing.