Easing Childhood ObesityWhat is childhood obesity? Childhood obesity is a condition in which a child is significantly overweight for his or her age and height. In “What is Childhood Obesity,” the American Heart Association reports that obesity in children causes health problems (American Heart Association). A statistic says that today approximately one in three American children and adolescents is overweight or obese, a percentage that has tripled compared to 1963 (American Heart Association). If the rate has increased over the last fifty-two years, when will it decrease? It will never decrease if healthier lifestyles are not adopted. We must improve childhood obesity by organizing courses to educate parents to keep their children healthy. There are many courses that parents have taken to educate themselves. They took classes on topics like childbirth, breastfeeding, parenting and technology. There is an article titled "7 Lessons in Parenting" by Lynne Ticknor, who has her entry-level Master of Arts (MA) degree. She is a certified parenting educator and writer specializing in child development, parenting, and family issues. In the article Ticknor discussed the seven best lessons that parent education courses have to offer (Ticknor). After looking at this article we should be persuaded to start courses and create lessons like Ticknor has done to show what health education courses have to offer for parents. In the article “Preventing Childhood Obesity: Tips for Parents and Caretakers,” the American Heart Association provides six tips parents should use to keep their children healthy. The first tip is to encourage healthy eating habits because small changes can lead to a recipe for success! The second tip is to prepare your favorite dish... middle of paper... upload all materials now, this change can start in June 2017. This solution can work if the lessons are mandatory for all parents. These classes should be enforced as Jury Duty. It is important to bring a change to the problem of childhood obesity and making the course mandatory would be the only way. Let's say there is a course out there that could help children make healthy choices and would benefit parents. But no one pays attention to it. Would there be a change in childhood obesity? No, it wouldn't be a change because parents don't put in the effort to help their children. It's time to make a change. Parents should want the best for their children. They should want their children to be healthy regardless of their weight. The lessons will make parents more informed about their children's health. Therefore, it will be beneficial for parents and children.