Childhood Obesity

* Diet-high-calorie foods, such as fast foods, baked goods, and vending machine snacks, contribute to weight gain. High-fat foods are dense in calories. Loading up on soft drinks, candy, desserts and other foods and beverages that are high in sugar and calories.

* Inactive-sedentary kids are more likely to gain weight because they don't burn calories through physical activity. Inactive leisure activities, such as watching television or playing video games, contribute to the problem.

* Genetics-when a child comes from a family of overweight people, he or she may be genetically predisposed to put on excess weight or it may be because the family environment always has high-calorie food available and physical activity isn't encouraged.

* Psychological factors-some children overeat to cope with problems or to deal with emotions, such as stress or boredom. Their parents may have similar tendencies.

* Family factors-most children don't shop for the family's groceries. Indeed, parents are responsible for putting healthy foods in the kitchen at home and leaving unhealthy foods in the store. Kids are attracted to sweet, salty and fatty foods because they simply taste good, also dont underestimate the junk food adds that our kids are bombarded with daily when watching television. Parents can control access to these foods, especially at home.

* Socio economic factors-children from low-income backgrounds are at greater risk of becoming obese. Poverty and obesity often go hand in hand because low-income parents may lack the time and resources to make healthy eating and exercise a family priority. As junk food still is much cheaper than the healthier food options, families on lower incomes will most certainly pick the less costly alternative. Maybe there is a task here for the government to make healthier foods more affordable.