Why do Americans overeat to the point of becoming obese and what are the effects on the body? As the world looks at today's society, Americans clearly have a problem with overweight and obesity, especially compared to other countries. “Approximately 17% (or 12.5 million) of children and adolescents ages 2 to 19 are obese” and “more than one-third of U.S. adults (35.7%) are obese” (Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, 2013, Data and Statistics). History suggests that overeating is a choice, an addiction similar to smoking cigarettes caused by lack of willpower, boredom, or simple gluttony. Thanks to new research, society is starting to understand that there is much more behind obesity than just a simple choice or addition. For example, a cause can also be a genetic predisposition and/or environmental influences. Overeating suggests that becoming obese is not a choice but a problem for which the individual needs to seek medical and psychological help. If a parent is obese, the child is more likely to become obese. “Only 10% of children who have no obese parents become obese, while 40% of children who have obese parents become obese, and 70% of children who have two obese parents become obese” (Psychology Essentials, 2005, p. 321 ). ). That said, parents should motivate themselves and encourage children to be active and, if necessary, seek professional help. Overeating can also be a comforting mechanism or even a pattern. Being stressed can lead to reaching for that delicious candy bar. Studies show that overeating produces a physical and psychological effect. Physical body changes include an expanding waistline that manifests in stretch marks, difficulty… middle of paper… Facts. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html (November 17, 2013).RONI CARYN RABIN. (2010, June 16). Exploring the links between depression and weight gain with Dr. Needham. Retrieved from http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/16/exploring-the-links-between-depression-and-weight-gain/?_r=0 (December 2, 2013). Rowan, Chris. The Huffington Post. (2013, May 29). The impact of technology on child development. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cris-rowan/technology-children-negative-impact_b_3343245.html (December 2, 2013). Santrock, J.W. (2005) Psychology Essentials 2. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. The Huffington Post. (2013, September 13). Why do we eat too much? Harvard researchers address obesity and the toxic food environment. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/13/why-we-overeat_n_3919317.html (November 17. 2013).