“The country's obesity epidemic has become so severe that it has replaced tobacco as the leading cause of preventable disease” (Gaffney). The health costs related to obesity and resulting conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, are greater than those related to smoking and excessive alcohol consumption (Gaffney). A child between the ages of two and nineteen with a body mass index above the ninety-fifth percentile for age, height, and sex by today's standards is obese (Singhal). This problem is a serious medical condition and can affect many children for years to come. Today in the United States more than 17% of children are obese (Marcus). Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic over the past decade. In 1999 and 2000, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “an estimated fifteen percent of American children were overweight, more than three times the number in 1990” (D, Andrew). Many factors play a vital role in the rise of obesity, such as environment, lifestyle and genetics. Today, many children are obese due to excessive calorie consumption and reduced physical activity. Obesity is a disorder that has many causes and has never been fully understood. It is one of the easiest medical conditions to recognize but the most difficult to treat. Overweight children are much more likely to become overweight adults unless they adopt and maintain healthier eating and exercise patterns. It is predicted that today's generation will not survive the previous one. When you are obese, adolescence can be difficult. Because childhood obesity causes disease and psychological problems, parents and the school education system must act immediately....... middle of paper ......orum." Tulsa World. August 20, 2011: A19. eLibrary . Web. 09 September 2011. Hellmich, Nanci "Childhood Obesity: A Lifetime of Danger." USA Today, 14 January 2008. Web. 24 August 2011. Johnson, Andrea "How Does obesity affect children? " LIVESTRONG.COM - Lose weight and get fit with diet, nutrition and fitness tools. October 29, 2009. Web. September 1, 2011. Marcus, Lauren and Amanda Baron. "Childhood Obesity: The Effects on Physical and Mental Health." NYU Child Study Center. 2003. Web. August 31, 2011. "Obesity, Childhood." Magill's Medical Guide, 4th Edition - Losing Weight and getting fit with diet, nutrition and fitness tools. 30 August 2011. Singhal, Vibha "Assessment and Management of Childhood and Adolescent Obesity" 10 (2007): 1258 Web 30 August.. 2011.