Proper Nutrition

A formula for overall wellness

Health experts emphasize that informed food choices and appropriate physical activity go hand in hand with promoting overall wellness. Studies illustrate that the health habits children develop at a young age will continue with them through adulthood, so it makes good sense to start children on the right path.

Highmark Healthy High 5 programs are backed by research showing that proper nutrition and appropriate physical activity translate into:

• Lower rates of childhood obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels
• Reduced incidences of dental problems
• Fewer problems with school performance
• Fewer incidences of emotional and social distress

Picture the facts of your child's future

Highmark Healthy High 5 has created three "Picture the Facts of Your Child's Future" posters to help show some of the health differences between children with healthy weight and children who are overweight.

The posters, which are distributed to pediatricians and other health care providers, show parents what the future might hold for their children if they are overweight.

Picture the Facts of Your Child's Future
The images above are links to smaller PDF versions of three "Picture the Facts of Your Child's Future" posters. Click on an image to download it now.

Did You Know?

• Studies illustrate that the health habits children develop at a young age will continue with them through adulthood. In fact, preventable illnesses make up approximately 70 percent of illness and associated costs in the U.S. according to the New England Journal of Medicine.