IS YOUR CHILD AT RISK? 1. Does your child frequently reach for potato chips rather than peaches, apples or kiwi? 2. Do you have a family history of heart disease? 3. Does your growing child get enough bone-building, muscle-strengthening calcium in his or her daily diet? 4. Do you have a family history of type II diabetes? 5. Does your child have a hard time keeping up with other kids while participating in physical activities? 6. Do you have a family history of osteoporosis? 7. Does your child want to go out for a sports team, but doesn't have the confidence, knowledge or basic skills to try? 8. Are you concerned about your child's fitness level? 9. Has your child ever mentioned anything to you about his or her weight? 10. Does your child watch more than two hours of television a day? If you answered yes to four or more of these questions, your child would be a good candidate to improve their health and fitness through a program like Goodhearted Kids.

Children and adolescents today are subject to eating more calorie-rich, less nutrient dense foods than in the past. Living in the era of "super-size, please," children often have a distortion of what constitutes an actual serving.

Today, what kids are calling a snack oftentimes is a replica of a sit-down breakfast, lunch or dinner. Simultaneously, energy expenditure or physical activity among children and adolescents is decreasing. Children are becoming increasingly more sedentary in their lifestyles, with participation in physical activity declining strikingly as children get older.

Physical inactivity and poor nutrition increase a child's likelihood of becoming overweight and increase the risk for secondary complications. Research shows that 60 percent of overweight 5-10 year old children already have at least one risk factor for heart disease - including high cholesterol and hypertension. Early indicators of atherosclerosis, the most common cause of heart disease, often begins in childhood and adolescence and are related to young people's blood cholesterol levels, which are affected by diet.

What can you do as a parent to get your child on track for a healthier lifestyle?

One answer may be a new program, Goodhearted Kids, a partner with St. Joseph's/Candler Hospital. Designed for kids ages 6-14 to help them learn how to put the fun back into physical activity and nutrition, Goodhearted Kids also helps improve their health and decrease their risk for chronic disease and other negative health consequences.

This 10-week program is delivered on an age-appropriate, goal specific, individual basis, working within the family unit, one child at a time. Family commitment and encouragement is key to each child's success.

The Goodhearted Kids program goals include:

• Creating an enjoyable, nurturing environment that will facilitate positive changes in physical activity & nutrition patterns
  
  
• Empowering parents or caregivers to guide, support and be a role model for healthful behaviors
  
  
• Increasing awareness and knowledge of current and ideal health behaviors
  
  
• Fostering good attitudes and beliefs toward physical activity and healthy eating
  
  
• Building skills and confidence toward establishing and continuing healthy behaviors