Healthy active living for children and youth

Abstract

Poor lifestyle habits, such as unhealthy eating and physical inactivity, are major contributors to increased adult morbidity and mortality from chronic diseases. Over the past decade there has been an increase in sedentary lifestyle and obesity in children and adolescents, both in North America and worldwide. Physicians need to be aware of the scope of this problem, provide anticipatory guidance to families and promote healthy active living in their practices.

Keywords: Healthy active living; Lifestyle.

Figure 1)

A growth chart showing an example of typical childhood growth. BMI Body mass index; CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Circles represent actual height and weight; Arrow points to ideal weight for height. <www.cdc.gov/nchs/about/major/nhanes/growthcharts/set1clinical/cj41l022.pdf>

Figure 2)

Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating <www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hppb/nutrition/pube/foodguid/index.html>