We are all aware that certain medical problems tend to run in families. Some of these are due to inherited factors and, short of genetic engineering, cannot be prevented. However, in many, if not most, cases, this familial clustering of disease is due to lifestyle traits that are learned by the children and, in turn, passed on to their offspring.
These familial behaviors include poor dietary habits, inactivity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, overuse of medications and illicit drug use. Children come to learn that these lifestyle choices are acceptable, if not the norm, and develop a similar pattern of behavior. Obese, inactive adults beget overweight children, adult smokers tolerate tobacco use by their offspring and parents that use medications, drugs and alcohol to deal with every problem encourage their children to do the same. Combined, these familial disorders and their medical complications account for a high percentage of overall morbidity, early mortality and health care costs.
Beyond their personal health issues, families that tolerate overindulgence and inactivity are also less likely to be supportive of conservation programs. This impairs our effort to reduce society's impact on the environment and, in the end, the health of our extended human family is placed in jeopardy as well.
