What is one of the biggest problems facing children in North America today? Nowadays, many people suffer from obesity in North America and this causes problems such as heart disease, diabetes and early mortality. Many people think that obesity is only a problem for adults, but obesity has now become one of the most serious problems for children in North America. Childhood obesity occurs when children are overweight and this is measured by body mass index (BMI). Obese children tend to be unhappy because they often have poor health, poor social relationships and low self-confidence. Mayo Clinic staff (2012) defined childhood obesity as: Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that affects children and adolescents. It occurs when a child weighs well above the normal weight for his or her age and height. Childhood obesity is particularly concerning because extra pounds often set children on the path to health problems that were once limited to adults, such as diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol. Childhood obesity can also lead to low self-esteem and depression. Additionally, MedicineNet.com (2012) defined BMI as: A key index for relating weight to height. Abbreviated BMI. BMI is a person's weight in kilograms (kg) divided by their height in meters squared. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) now defines normal weight, overweight, and obesity by BMI rather than traditional height/weight tables. With these factors in mind, childhood obesity in North America is caused by poor diet quality, lack of adequate exercise, and low socioeconomic levels. First and foremost, one of the main reasons for childhood obesity in North America is unhealthy diet. Excessive consumption of fast food is one cause…half of the paper…result of unsafe neighborhoods. For these reasons, socioeconomic levels are associated with childhood obesity in North America. In summary, childhood obesity in North America arises from three main causes, namely poor nutrition, lack of exercise, and low socioeconomic level. Childhood obesity is caused by a poor diet, which includes eating fast food, missing vegetables, and consuming excessive amounts of juice. Additionally, childhood obesity results from a lack of exercise because children don't play outside, walk to school, or do physical activity. Additionally, socioeconomic levels, including low income, uneducated parents, and poor-quality neighborhoods, can lead to childhood obesity. For these reasons, childhood obesity has become one of the most serious problems in North America. The responsibility for childhood obesity does not lie with children but with parents and society.