The Heart and Stroke Foundation recently warned the public of an impending “perfect storm” where young adults are now being diagnosed with heart disease.

Coupled with the increasing number of baby boomers already suffering with heart disease, the so-called storm will continue to place an increased strain on an already bloated healthcare budget.

Currently, provincial governments spend approximately 40% of taxpayer’s money on sick care. With more and more young adults being diagnosed with heart disease, that number is expected to rise to 50% within the next decade. In the meantime, Canada already spends close to $22 billion annually on heart disease and stroke.

How can we fix this problem? As usual, politicians will call for more tax money, the medical profession will call for better drugs and the public will continue to hope that someone will fix them when they get sick.

Of course, no one will be talking about prevention. Sure, someone will suggest more tests and early detection as a solution. However, medical tests can only tell you when you’re already sick and early detection is not prevention.

Everyone in healthcare knows that most heart disease is preventable with simple lifestyle changes like diet, exercise, not smoking, drinking less etc. We know that prevention is the key eliminating much of the sick care costs, yet there will be no mention of the drastic lifestyle changes which are truly required to prevent disease and illness.

Never mind the fact that the documented benefits of alternative healthcare systems will continue to be ignored by policy makers. For example, research has shown that people under regular chiropractic care reduce health care spending and medical visits by 31%. They take fewer medications and they have less sick days but you won’t hear anyone telling you to see your chiropractor, naturopath or massage therapist.

While policy makers are arguing over how to pay for this problem, I would suggest you take your health into your own hands: Learn to eat well, exercise everyday, manage your stress and take care of your body. If you don’t know how, consult an expert who can set you in the right direction. Yes it will be hard to change at first, however, the more you invest in your health and prevention now, the greater the returns later.

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Canadian children are officially overweight and unfit, according to Stats Canada this week. Since 1981, waistlines have continued to expand to the point where 17% of children are overweight and 9% are now considered obese.

Many experts blame junk food, too much TV time and inactivity as the culprits. This would seem quite reasonable since junk food is still readily available in many schools, physical education programs continue to be shortened and kids rarely walk anywhere these days. However, I believe these are simply symptoms of a far greater problem, one that strikes a little closer to home — parents.

The fact of the matter is parents are the real problem here, since more often than not parents help facilitate these unhealthy lifestyles. Consider the fact study after study continues to show that parents that lead healthy, active lifestyles also have children that lead healthy active lifestyles.

Childhood obesity rates continue to rise because adult obesity rates continue to rise. Period. After 11 years of family practice, I can tell you with certainty that if mom and dad are unhealthy and overweight, the kids will be the same. Conversely, parents who exercise and eat well are more likely to have children who are active and eat well. Lifestyles and attitudes towards health are a far better predictor of obesity rates than genetics.

If we are being truly honest, we will come to the following realizations: that ultimately it’s parents who do the grocery shopping and give money for school lunches; its parents who allow countless, unchecked hours in front of the TV; and its parent that make the decisions for their children’s health. Not the other way around.

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