HAROLD KELLER

Teach your children to eat right

A few weeks ago I read that there are 50,000 people in the United States over 100 years old. It is projected that by the year 2025 there will be close to a million people over 100 years of age. Many people are living longer, but on the other side of longevity, more people are developing health problems and dying younger. Is there any middle ground in the life span of American people? The answer is yes. Many people will live a normal life span of 75-80 years old. What is attributed to a long life? The answer, by medical experts, is a good diet, no smoking, exercise and a positive attitude. If that’s so, then a shorter life span can be attributed to a bad diet, smoking, drinking, drugging, no exercise, a negative attitude and a bad self-image. Much of my work is associated with young people. I continue to be amazed at the amount of obese children in the communities I visit. Recently, in a report by the CDC (Center for Disease Control), it warned that America is in an epidemic of diabetes. Since 1990 the increase in this disease has risen 41 percent. This chronic illness is the seventh-leading cause of death in the United States. We have treatment of diabetes, but no cure. Its cause is a mystery. Both genetics and environmental factors, such as obesity and a lack of exercise, appear to play roles in its onset. Diabetes is not a respecter of persons. It attacks all ages and races. A U.S. study published a few weeks ago stated that one soft drink a day gives your child a 60 percent chance of becoming obese. Statistics show that overweight children become less active and in some cases withdraw and develop a low self-image. Many young people I speak to are concerned about their weight. Fad diets last a short time and weight is eventually regained. Maybe a good start would be to replace soft drink consumption with water. Results are guaranteed. Am I condemning overweight children? No. I’m trying to send a message to parents to raise their children to have good eating habits. The results will be most rewarding – a longer life, better health, able to perform better academically – which will produce a positive, happier child. HAROLD KELLER writes this column as part of his affiliation with the Get High on Life religious motivational group. Call him at 652-8477.