“Kids! What’s the matter with kids today?” asks the musical “Bye Bye Birdie.”

“Parents,” answer researchers at Iowa State’s Institute for Social and Behavioral Research.

Forget peer pressure, which has long taken the blame for undesirable habits such as smoking or drinking that appear in youth — a recent ISU study indicates that unhealthy lifestyles in a parent often lead to the same negative behaviors in a child.

And those habits that wear off on children’s impressionable, young minds go beyond the obvious vices of tobacco, alcohol and drugs.

Parents who are inactive, who have poor diets and who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to produce children who are lazy, fat, tired and generally unhealthy.

What a legacy, eh?

It’s not that the information is that surprising.

Like it or not, we all have little things we pick up from our parents, whether it’s imitating Mom’s naggy voice or inheriting Dad’s premature hair loss.

It’s something every person comes to realize — despite any half-hearted rebellion, much of who we are is at least partially defined by our progenitors.

Researchers say the new findings provide valuable information for establishing prevention and education campaigns aimed at young people.

It’s also important information for anyone with children.

If a parent chooses to engage in unhealthy behaviors, it is their choice. But perhaps the biggest part of being an effective parent is being a good role model for your children, and what type of example are unhealthy parents offering youth?

For parents, the application is simple: Taking care of yourself is one of the best ways you can take care of your children and provide for their future well being.

Many ISU students might think, “So what? I’m not a parent. I don’t influence anyone.”

Not yet. But the bad habits you pick up in college will be hard to break when you leave.

Drinking four nights a week, smoking like a chimney, watching “Gilligan’s Island” reruns long into the night, eating leftover frozen pizza for breakfast — all dirty habits that, if ingrained now, could last a lifetime.

Or two lifetimes, if you do have children.

Or three, if they have children.

Or … well, you get the picture.

So put down the cigarette, pour out the beer, get off your bum and do some sit-ups or eat some carrots.

Your kids are counting on you.