Childhood Obesity: Nation's Children Growing the Wrong Direction

New data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services show that kids in the United States are getting bigger. And, according to the Centers for Disease Control, people who are obese in childhood or adolescence are more likely to be obese as adults. As the nation’s youngsters grow a little too quickly around the middle, the CDC has compiled a list of tips for parents to help children keep a healthy weight, and they aren't rocket science: Provide a balanced diet—don’t forget fruits and veggies—and save those cupcakes and nutter butters for true treats, rather than a daily snack. Instead, help kids form healthy snacking habits with carrots and hummus or an apple or banana. Take children on a walk, or encourage them to swim, jump rope, or play tag and soccer. It’s no secret that kids love video games, TV shows, and computers, but the CDC suggests limiting those activities to no more than two hours each day. If more fun with the kids isn’t inspiration enough to take these simple steps, keep in mind that childhood obesity can lead to asthma, sleep apnea, type two diabetes, and even heart disease.