QUEZON CITY, Philippines— Raising healthy children requires more than proper nutrition and good genes, as family relationships, daily routines, cultural practices, and living conditions also play critical roles in their physical and emotional development, an Ateneo de Manila University medical expert said.

Dr. Lourdes Sumpaico-Tanchanco, professor at the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health and director of its Center for Research and Innovation, emphasized the importance of a holistic approach to child development during the Ateneo Breakthroughs Lecture held on October 21, 2026.

“Our genes do not determine everything about our health,” Sumpaico-Tanchanco said, explaining that nutrition, stress, family experiences, and environmental conditions during early childhood can influence long-term health outcomes.

The developmental-behavioral pediatrician stressed that children develop healthy habits largely through their families, particularly by observing how adults eat, sleep, exercise, and manage stress.

She noted that parents who encourage healthy eating and limited screen time must demonstrate these practices themselves.

Sumpaico-Tanchanco also raised concerns over school schedules that force children to wake up as early as 4 or 5 a.m., potentially depriving them of adequate sleep. Excessive screen exposure and limited opportunities for physical activity can further affect their well-being.

She urged healthcare professionals to consider family circumstances, sleep patterns, nutrition, and emotional stress when evaluating children experiencing behavioral or developmental difficulties.

“The benefit of seeing the whole child is that a valid diagnosis becomes the beginning of an individualized plan and not just the end of our curiosity,” she said.

The Ateneo professor recommended practical changes, including consistent bedtimes, healthier eating habits, and opportunities for children to engage in physical activity and social interaction.

However, she emphasized that raising healthy children is not solely the parents’ responsibility. Schools, communities, employers, and government institutions must also help create environments that support children’s development.

“A healthier future begins in the everyday life of a child nurtured by a family and supported by a community,” Sumpaico-Tanchanco said.

The lecture, titled “Raising a Healthy Child: A Functional Medicine Lens on the Family as an Ecosystem of Health,” is available on Ateneo’s YouTube channel.