Q. Did the road to heart disease start in childhood?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Yes. The road to heart disease starts in childhood. In fact, the roots of heart disease may start even before birth.
The first step is getting children to eat a healthy diet and be physically active. This means eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; choosing lean protein sources such as skinless poultry and fish; limiting unhealthy fats; and skipping sugary drinks. It's also important for children to get regular physical activity. At least 60 minutes a day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity is recommended for kids and teens ages 5 through 17 years old.