"Typically children who are about 25 lbs. above their ideal body weight are considered overweight, and those 40-50 lbs. above their ideal body weight are considered obese." (Strauss 2). To determine if a child is considered obese or over weight a family doctor factors in the child's age, sex, and body build.

The total number of fat cells in the body is the major factor in causing obesity. Each individual person has a unique number of fat cells in their body. Fat cells reproduce during early childhood and puberty of ones life cycle. Once fat cells have been created there is no way to reduce the

More positive parental roles will help to reduce the number of obese children in today's society. "Childhood obesity is a family issue, and we shouldn't just target the child. Improving the eating habits and activity levels of the entire family is necessary." (Strauss ?). Obesity alone cannot be life threatening, but research has proven that an obese person is more likely to develop a life threatening disease than a person of normal weight. Children should be taught good eating habits and physical activities at an early age to help them live a long healthy life.

Collins, Karen. "Combat Child Obesity with Family Fun."

Mozes, Alan. "To Get Obese Kids to Exercise, Turn Off the TV."

Reuters Health Information. 16 March 2000.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Obesity Childhood, Burger King, MSN Sending, Strauss Obesity, Fun MSNBC, Health Information, fat cells, Nutridate September, eating habits, Obesity Webseed, Online EBSCOhost, june 2001, physical activities, People February, positive role, childhood obesity, snack foods, soft drinks, doing physical activities, obesity children, 18 june, 18 june 2001, amount soft drinks, fat cells body, body weight considered,
Approximate Word count = 1331
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)