When moms were interviewed about the qualities they hoped their children would develop, a survey from the lifestyle brand Motherly found that kindness was No. 1 on the list, followed by attributes such as respect, resilience, curiosity, intelligence, generosity, and bravery.

All are characteristics of an emotionally healthy child, teen, or adult.

But those traits may be more difficult to nurture than parents expect. Around 20% of 12- to 18-year-olds now have prediabetes — and we suspect an alarming number of kids even younger are on that hazardous path.

These youngsters may develop persistently elevated insulin levels, and new research reveals that can harm their mental health.

Scientists at Cambridge University tracked more than 10,000 people to study how insulin levels and body mass index in childhood correlates with depression and psychosis in young adulthood.

They found that persistently high insulin levels from mid-childhood were linked with a greater chance of developing psychosis as an adult. They also found an increase in BMI around the onset of puberty was linked with a higher chance of developing depression as an adult, especially for girls.

For their future happiness, it's essential to help your children get at least an hour of physical activity daily and eat a diet that maintains a healthy weight. That means cutting out highly processed foods, added sugars and syrups, red meats, and any grain that isn't 100% whole.

Life is challenging enough for kids these days without having to battle emotional problems that might have been avoided with simple adjustments to everyday habits.