Research has found that when children learn about heart-healthy eating habits, it can strongly influence their behavior to reduce heart disease risk later in life. Yet, according to the PCNA survey, less than one-third of Americans follow a diet that is healthy for their heart. Also, seven in ten (70%) would not want their kids to adopt their eating habits because they do not think they set a good example when it comes to food choices (26%) or some of the time they eat food that is not healthy (44%).

"We are at a critical juncture," explains Hayman. "It is imperative for parents to lead by example with an all encompassing heart-healthy lifestyle, making the necessary changes both in diet and physical activity."

Since the PCNA survey found that the majority of Americans are at risk of heart disease due to some lifestyle factor, such as being overweight or having high cholesterol, small incremental changes in diet and physical activity can have a lasting healthy effect. To help parents learn how to make important lifestyle changes and become better role models for their children, to help reduce their risk of heart disease in the future, PCNA has launched a national education campaign called "Family at Heart."

SOURCE Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association