Childhood Obesity Continues To Be Problem

The childhood obesity epidemic in our country is getting worse.

A study in the

Journal of the American Medical Association

finds that one in three children is overweight. The largest increase appears to be in black and Hispanic children.

Children who are overweight are at greater risk for developing diabetes and heart disease. Researchers like Dr. Richard Strauss said the study should trigger a call to action.

"It's a call to action for families to try to get their kids to be more active," he said. "It's a call to action for communities to put in sidewalks, to supervise playgrounds, for schools to provide gym on a regular basis and for schools to teach healthful, healthy nutrition."

Besides the physical consequences, children who are overweight often have poor self-esteem and suffer from depression.