The Epidemic
The rate of childhood obesity has more than tripled over the past three decades, leading to serious health problems.
Weight Worries
17 percent of kids ages 2 to 19 today are obese -- and one third are overweight. That means 1 in 3 kids has a weight problem.
Inactivity
3- to 5-year-olds at 24 different preschools were sitting 89 percent of the time, one study found. Another pinpointed a dramatic drop in activity levels between the ages of 3 and 5.
Health Concerns
45 percent of young teens who are newly diagnosed with diabetes have Type 2, or "adult-onset," diabetes. High cholesterol and high blood pressure are also common.
