In the United States, the number of overweight children has doubled in recent decades. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the spread of this epidemic doubled among children ages two to five, from 5 to 12 percent, and between ages seven to 11, from 7 to 12 percent. 17%. In adolescents between the ages of twelve and nineteen, rates increased more than threefold, from 5 to 18 percent. Research conducted by Dr. Richard J. Deckelbaum and Christine L. Williams (2012) indicates that these increases have been observed across all races and ethnicities. wallpapers. While some racial and ethnic backgrounds have been affected more than others, it is clear that girls have been affected more than boys. Between National Health and Nutrition Surveys I and III, conducted over twenty years, the percentage of obese girls increased by more than 200%, while the percentage of obese boys increased less than 25%. However, in children aged six years and older, the prevalence doubled in both girls and boys. Contributions to Childhood Obesity There is a lack of access to healthy foods around the world. In some lower-class countries, foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins are a delicacy. Families in poor communities often live where supermarkets and grocery stores are in short supply and the food sold is expensive. Many communities, especially in cities, have an exceptional amount of fast food restaurants that can be found within walking distance. The increase in consumption of soft drinks and snacks, meals consisting of large portions with a higher calorie content and the increase in advertising promoting unhealthy foods contribute to this... middle of paper... a healthier diet and l Exercise can go a long way in controlling, and hopefully, one day, putting an end to this ongoing epidemic. World Health Organization Works Cited (2013). Obesity and overweight. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs311/en/. American Psychological Association (2009). Resolution on the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles and the prevention of obesity and poor weight control behavior in children and young people. Washington, DC Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/about/governance/council/policy/chapter-12b.aspx#active-lifestyle.Deckelbaum, R.J., & Williams, C.L. (2001), Childhood Obesity: The Health Problem. Obesity Research, 9: 239S–243S. doi: 10.1038/oby.2001.125Whitaker, RC, Wright, JA, Pepe, MS, Seidel, KD, Dietz, WH (1997) Prediction of obesity in young adults from childhood and parental obesity. N English J Med 337: 869–873.