Childhood obesity is certainly not a new term, but it has become increasingly popular in recent years. Some are calling childhood obesity the next “national epidemic,” it sounds pretty scary especially when it affects younger Americans. Obesity is one of the easiest medical conditions to recognize but it is the most difficult to treat. Overweight children are 10 times more likely to become overweight adults unless they change their eating and exercise habits (“Mayo” 1). 30% of obesity in adults begins in childhood, obesity is also said to be the cause of 300,000 deaths per year. Obesity costs society approximately $100 billion a year. Today, about one-third of American children and adolescents are considered overweight or obese. Its size has almost tripled since 1963 (“Marcus” 1). Obesity is causing numerous health problems that are typically not seen until adulthood. Childhood obesity can affect a child's physical, emotional and social well-being. Overweight children, compared to children of a healthy weight, are more likely to develop health problems. A child who suffers from obesity is at greater risk of having high cholesterol and high blood pressure, which are associated with heart disease in adults (“Childhood” 2). These contribute to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which can cause the arteries to narrow and harden, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke later. Obese adolescents are more likely to have pre-diabetes, a condition in which blood glucose levels indicate a high risk of developing diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, once considered an adult disease, has increased dramatically in children and adolescents. ("Mayonnaise" 1). A study conducted in the United Kingdom found that 95% of children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were overweight and 83% were obese. Overweight children are at risk of developing metabolic problems