The nation faces a growing epidemic of childhood obesity that threatens the immediate health of our children and youth and their prospects of growing up to be healthy adults. During the past 30 years, obesity in the United States has more than doubled among children aged 2 5 years and adolescents aged 12 19 years, and it has more than tripled among children aged 6 11 years. Currently, more than 9 million children and youth over the age of 6 years are obese. The sequelae of obesity among children and youth are rising, including an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, asthma, and social and psychological consequences including low.
