Editor's Note [Volume 25 No. 9 (2025)]

https://doi.org/10.18697/ajfand.146.ED172

Healthy Food Habits

As we navigate through old age, it is essential to reflect on our health and routines. How do you feel each morning? Does your routine differ from when you were younger? Promoting healthy practices from childhood is crucial. Encouraging good nutrition, regular physical activity, and addressing mental health early on can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases in adulthood. I have witnessed this firsthand with my children, who are now parents themselves. From a young age, we emphasized the importance of dental visits and instilled healthy habits that support lifelong well-being. Starting early works. Research shows that early prevention is more effective than treatment once conditions manifest. Healthy childhood habits can significantly lower the risk of diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity later in life. Public health initiatives are vital in this regard, as they play a key role in disease prevention. Regular health assessments, such as well-baby clinics, are essential to be sure that children are meeting the necessary milestones. Government approved pediatric vaccinations help prevent severe childhood diseases, while exercise, good nutrition, and timely treatment of infections are crucial for overall health. We must also be aware of conditions like obesity that can start early in life, leading to non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular issues and diabetes. Monitoring growth progression in terms of weight and height against age is important. It is vital to avoid underfeeding or overfeeding children and to ensure they engage in adequate physical activity. To foster good dietary practices, such as consuming vegetables and limiting sugar, salt, and fat intake, we must start early. By focusing on these aspects, we can help our children develop healthy habits that last a lifetime.

Prof. Ruth Khasaya Oniang'o
Founder and Editor-in-Chief, AJFAND
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-8344-9093


In this issue, we have, as usual, 14 well peer-reviewed articles. We thank our dedicated reviewers and resilient authors for making this possible.