Dr. Evan Levine, board-certified cardiologist took to social media to share five things he thinks parents should do for their child before they hit 18.
Ditch the trash food vibe
His number one advice is for parents to keep their kids away from junk food. He said, “Stop the dense calorie garbage. That’s the fast food and the soda. It’s a hard pass. Get them addicted to real fuel, not the drive-through junk. Their future self will thank you.”
No to addictions
Any kind of addiction is harmful for health and special one before reaching the legal age. He said, “You’re a main character in their life. So no smoking, no drinking, no weed for you, especially when they’re watching. Remember, you’re their role model. So make your actions clear and you don’t want to be a cautionary tale. Set that example straight.”
Engaging them in activities
He encouraged parent to introduce kids in sports, sweating games. He shared, “Get them moving. Encourage good exercise and sports. It’s not just about being fit. It’s about confidence, teamwork, and burning off that extra energy. You’ll move it or lose it.”
Health check-up in place
His fourth advice is, “You got to get a test. One specific one. Get a lipid panel. Seriously, check their cholesterol. They’ll get lots of other tests, but lots of pediatricians forget to check their cholesterol. And you need to know if they have a genetic risk like familial hypercholesterolemia. You don’t want any surprises when they hit 30 and they have problems.”
Not to forget vaccines
Lastly he said, “Don’t forget their vaccines, especially if they’re going to go off to college. Make sure they didn’t miss the hepatitis B, the meningococcus, and the HPV for women. Stay protective and stay safe. I hope that helps.”
