The increasing prevalence of obesity in children is a significant and alarming public health problem.

Obesity in childhood is not a benign condition, despite the popular belief that overweight children will outgrow their condition. The longer the child has been overweight, the more likely the child is to be overweight during adolescence and adulthood.

In spite of diet being an important factor, inactivity is the key to the increase in childhood obesity.

Excessive snacking, reliance on quick service restaurants, parental neglect, lack of play, high fat and high energy food choices are contributing factors to childhood obesity.

Overweight a state in which body weight exceeds a standard based on height: having a Body Mass Index of (BMI) of 25 to 29.9 or greater.

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