According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2010), the percentage of obese children in America has tripled over the past 30 years. Childhood obesity is troubling because the extra pounds often put children on the path to health problems such as diabetes, joint problems and high blood pressure, which were once confined to adults. Childhood obesity can also lead to poor self-esteem and depression. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2012) states, "Obesity is defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex," for children and adolescents (aged 2 = 19 years)." Body mass index (BMI) is a measure used to determine childhood overweight and obesity. Childhood obesity in America is mainly due to an unhealthy diet, social factors, and sedentary lifestyle. .
To begin with, an unhealthy diet contributes to childhood obesity. First, excessive fast food intake leads to an unhealthy diet. In order to achieve a better taste, fast food companies are likely to cook food with high amounts of fat and salt. Consequently, this kind of food is extremely popular among children because it's delicious. French states that a survey of 4746 children between the ages of 11 to 18, indicated that 75% had eaten at a fast food restaurant during the week before the survey (as cited in Fast-food consumption among US adults and children, 2003). Although fast food companies claim that they can provide healthy, and nutritional food to children, the majority of food offered is high in calories, high in sugar, and high in fat. For example, French states that a small order of French fries typically contains about 200 calories and 10 g of fat, and a large hamburger contains nearly 600 calories and 35 g of fat (As cited in Fast-food consumption among US adults and children research, 2003). .
In contrast, a sedentary child between the ages of 9 to 13 should consume about only 1800 calories per day (Estimated Calorie Requirements (n.