### Understanding Childhood Obesity and Its Health Risks Childhood obesity is a growing concern in the United States, with 8 million kids being overweight or obese. This number has doubled since 1970. Several factors contribute to this issue, including increased screen time, lack of physical activity, and unhealthy diets. Overweight children have a 70% chance of becoming overweight adults, which can lead to serious physical and emotional health problems. These children are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, depression, heart disease, and high cholesterol. The psychological impact is also significant, as overweight kids often suffer from low self-esteem. Research shows that the likelihood of a child becoming overweight can be influenced even before birth. If a mother is obese during her first trimester, her child is more likely to be obese by age 4. Parents play a crucial role in preventing childhood obesity by modeling healthy behaviors. Encouraging physical activities, planning active family outings, and making small dietary changes can make a big difference. Reducing calorie intake by 60-100 calories per day can lead to substantial results. It's important to support children in making gradual, sustainable changes rather than putting them on strict diets. By fostering healthy habits early on, parents can help their children grow into healthy adults.###