Over the past 30 years, childhood obesity has more than tripled. The pervasiveness of obesity increased from 6.5% in 1980 to 20% in 2014 among children aged 6 to 11. The prevalence of obesity among adolescents aged 12 to 19 increased from 5.0% to 18.1% over the same 30-year period. That said, America is experiencing a very serious health problem regarding its youth. Obesity results from an imbalance involving excessive calorie consumption and/or inadequate physical activity. Additionally, obesity is mediated by genetic, behavioral, cultural, and environmental factors. The health impact of childhood obesity has immediate and long-term effects, with negative consequences such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma and mental health problems. There are many reasons why childhood obesity is increasing in the United States. Doctors agree that there are two main factors causing childhood obesity: children and adolescents adhering to poor eating habits and getting less and less daily exercise . There is no doubt that the mix of fast food diets and sedentary lifestyles is creating a generation of children facing a serious health crisis. Obese children also have to deal with the many psychological problems caused by being overweight. Overweight children often have low self-esteem, which is made worse when they are unable to participate in normal activities like sports or on the playground. Eating disorders in adolescents like anorexia nervosa and bulimia develop in response to feelings of bodily inadequacy. Obese children are teased, bullied, and made to feel inferior on many levels. Additionally, obese children and adolescents are also at greater risk of sleep apnea and bone and joint problems...... middle of paper ......ed for the entire family, with parents being a model of good eating habits. Children should be encouraged to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, and less fast food and processed foods high in fat, calories, sugar and salt - the smart choice for a healthier America! Works Cited Winston, Craig, MPH, Phd, RD, “Childhood Obesity in America.” Vegetarian nutrition December 2013. Tauber, Maithe and Jouret, Béatrice, “Obesity in childhood and adolescence”. Karger April 2012: 91-95Carmona, Richard H., MD, MPH, FACS, “America's Obesity Crisis.” Office of the Surgeon General of the United States, July 2014. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2006-2014. Rouse, James, “Child Obesity in America: Taking Care of Our Children.” Help Cure Childhood Obesity 2009. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, “Your Teen.” HarperCollins 2009.