Summary

According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), overweight or obese preschoolers are five times as likely to become overweight or obese adults as their normal weight peers [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2013]. Additionally, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, asthma, and mental health problems are linked to obesity in older children and adolescents. American society is characterized by environments that promote poor eating habits and physical inactivity. This article discusses intervention strategies to address some of these issues.