Human DevelopmentStarting healthy eating throughout lifeParents always want the best for their children. They strive to provide for them, to teach them, and to watch them grow into healthy, loving individuals. Despite this, many parents continue to promote a habit that can hinder the goal of good health and unhealthy eating. Americans today consume too much fat, sugar and food in general and it shows; rates of obesity and weight/diet-related diseases such as diabetes are extremely high. To slow and ultimately stop this trend, parents must not only be aware and informed, but they must also take action and institute healthy eating habits from the beginning. Americans eat way too much. And the foods we consume are not healthy at all, containing excessive amounts of salt, sugar, saturated fats, carbohydrates, etc. This overeating is not only a serious problem in the adult population but also in American children. The results of a study conducted by the Journal of the American Dietetic Association showed that children aged 1 to 2 years old eat 30% more than the 950 calories they need per day. It has also been found that another factor that contributes to the poor eating habits of most children is the fact that they rarely or never consume fruits and vegetables. In addition to the lack of fresh fruits and vegetables, children consume large amounts of sugar. Whether it's candy or dessert, soda or sugary fruit juice, children start consuming them at an early age. The results of another study conducted by the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that babies drink soda from bottles as early as 7 months of age. In response to these disturbing facts, Parents magazine published the previous article. It outlines 10 steps that can be taken to introduce Manno 2 healthy eating into your baby's habits right from the start. A child's eating habits begin with the mother. Taste researcher Julie Mennella, PhD says, "We're finding that foods consumed during pregnancy and breastfeeding can influence the baby's willingness to accept those foods later." A mother's influence on nutrition does not end with breastfeeding, she should continue to model healthy eating. Mothers should make a commitment not to allow their children to consume excessively sugary carbonated drinks or fruit drinks, instead offering water and, above all, milk.