Study shows early habits impact health

University of Iowa researchers say a healthy diet and good exercise habits can go a long way in life. A 30-year study followed adults and children in Muscatine to see how eating habits, developed young, impacted adult health. Doctor Ronald Lauer says a direct link was found between childhood obesity and early signs of heart disease. He says risk factors like high cholesterol and high blood pressure as a child can bring problems later in life.Dr. Lauer says the key is finding a balance between food and exercise. He says today’s fast-paced lifestyle contributes to the problem and children are getting less exercise. He says there are now two working parents and that often leads to children watching more tv. He says the more tv kids watch, the fatter they get.Lauer suggests adding more fruits and vegetables to our diets and improving education so children know how to shop for healthy foods.