The percentage of children and adolescents who are overweight has more than doubled in the past 30 years. Of children ages 6 to 17 years, about 5.3 million or 12.5 percent are seriously overweight.
Obese children are more likely to become obese adults.
Overweight adults are at increased risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, some types of cancer and gallbladder disease. Has trouble carrying a sack of groceries in from the car. Can't touch his toes. What Families Can Do Getting your child into the game doesn't have to mean competitive sports. Ms. Passehl points out that often children are overweight because they eat when bored and not necessarily hungry.