At the start of every year many of us resolve to do things that make us better people – exercise, diet, save money. This year, experts at OU Physicians say it’s not too late to make changes that can have a life-long impact on a child’s health and happiness. They have compiled a top ten list for healthier children and grandchildren in 2007.

1. Talk about not smoking. “Stopping children from smoking is the A No. 1 thing (for a healthy future), and parents who smoke are more likely to have children who smoke, so it’s better for your child if you would stop smoking as well,” said Dr. Kathryn Reilly with OU Physicians Family Medicine.

2. Maintain a healthy weight. Teach children about a balanced meal, portion control and sugar reduction.

3. Encourage exercise. Encourage children to play outside or find an activity you both can do.

4. Reduce fast food. Cooking a healthy meal can take only a few minutes, but the reward of good health can last a lifetime.

5. Promote more fruits and vegetables. Five servings a day is the goal.

6. Get enough sleep. Babies to teenagers need the right amount of sleep to perform their best in school and keep their immune system strong. “Nine or 10 hours of sleep for a child who is in middle school is a very reasonable amount of sleep,” Reilly said.

7. Don’t skip breakfast. “Breakfast gives a child energy to go to school and do as well as they can,” Reilly said. “There’s even evidence that people who eat breakfast regularly are less likely to become overweight than people who skip breakfast.”

8. Keep vaccinations current. For a list of required vaccinations, go online to www.sde.state.ok.us/acrob/immunization.pdf.

9. Drink less soda. “There’s evidence that children may drink as many as two pops a day. That is an incredible amount of unneeded calories that will turn into fat if they’re not burned off,” Reilly said.

10. Focus on accident prevention. Keep medications and poisons locked up and out of children’s reach. Buckle children properly into a car seat or booster seat when younger, and a seat belt when older. Kids should ride in the back seat. Also, children should use safety equipment when in-line skating, riding a bike or playing sports.

Just a few simple ways to help get your child off to a good start in 2007.