According the US Center for Disease Control as of 2004 childhood obesity was rising, and approximately 19% of children 6-11 years old were overweight, and 14% of 2-5 year olds were. (1) These rates have continued to rise. Currently 1 in 4 children aged 2-5 are overweight/obese (over 85th percentile for age). (2)

However, that is not the heartbreaking part. (though it is very bad news and sad..) What is most upsetting is that multiple studies have found that children who are overweight/obese in youth are far more likely (approx. 70-80% more likely according to the CDC and Surgeon General) to be overweight/obese in adulthood.…therefore setting the stage for many lifelong health issues including diabetes, joint problems, high blood pressure, cholesterol, lower energy, headaches, higher risk for cancer and cardiovascular diseases.(3)