Strokes, increased risk of heart attack's as overweight children get older

Certainly the prediction of stroke and heart attacks in adults is not surprising. But what is scary is the age. We are talking about young adults that are predicted to have these diseases in their thirties. It comes from being overweight for so many years, since childhood.

Two recent studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine indicated that overweight children will have premature heart attacks and strokes as they age. The first study done by University of California, San Francisco used a computer algorithm to model the likely effects of obesity as these children aged.

• 19% more likely to die from heart disease beginning at age 35

The second study, Institute for Preventative Medicine Copenhagen, Denmark looked at data from 276,835 people who had been examined in 1930. This study found:

• The higher the body mass index, the higher the risk of heart disease

As a nurse, I can emphasize how serious this is. We are talking about our children's quality of life and life expectancy. Here's the thing. We can make a difference. It is not too late for these children, if we begin to make life style changes now.

Each change will add up. Start by talking with your family and making the commitment to healthy eating and regular activity. That does not mean you change everything at once. Start with just one simple goal. We have agreements that you can use on the parents nutrition tools page that focus on one nutrition goal.

Just one goal at a time.