, 2006, para. 2). Because the role of parents is critical, any problem to address the problem of childhood obesity has to include the parents in an effective manner. Parental influence on the problem differs at different ages of the children, and for some, the problem can begin in infancy: "An unfavorable intrauterine environment, for example, can increase a fetus's future risk of developing adult metabolic abnormalities, including obesity, hypertension, and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus" (Lindsay et al., 2006, para. 7). A more common caused develops in childhood as a result of the ingestion of too much refined sugar and carbohydrates I the form of candy, sugary cereals, potato chips, and other snack foods, or excessive fat in the form of fast food items. Parents can be at fault in this as well if they do not develop a home environment that fosters more healthful eating and that encourages physical activity for children: "Parents' knowledge of nutrition; their influence over food selection, meal structure, and home eating patterns; their modeling of healthful eating practices; their levels of physical activity; and their modeling of sedentary habits including television viewing are all influential in their children's development of lifelong habits that contribute to normal weight or to overweight and obesity" (Lindsay et al., 2006, para. 8).

Koplan, Liverman, and Kraak (2005) note the dangers posed by the obesity epidemic of today, including many health risks in the future with increased levels of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and other weight-related ailments. The authors emphasize that behavior must change if this dire future is to be avoided, a future not only of higher levels of illness but also with higher costs for health care for society as a whole. They state that the epidemic started in earnest in the 1970s and that obesity has nearly tripled for children aged 6 to 11, more than doubled for children 12 to 19 and also for children aged 2 to 5. Some subgroups have been affected more than others, with greater threats to African-Americans, American Indians, and Hispanics. Also greatly affected...

More than nine million children over the age of 6 are thought to be obese today, and they face both serious immediate and long-term health risks, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, osteoarthritis, and cancer. Such children may also develop psychosocial problems because of the way society views overweight people. The authors offer the answer to the problem when they write,
Preventing obesity will require ensuring that children maintain a proper energy balance. This means that each child will consume enough of the right kinds of food and beverages and get enough physical activity to maintain a healthy weight while supporting normal growth and development and protecting overall health (Koplan, Liverman, and Kraak, 2005, para. 4).

Reducing the problem will take time, but it is vital that it be achieved.