There's an obvious reason why kids can't drive whenever they want, or go out and play wherever they want. Children also cannot have a cigarette or a beer, because if they did these things they would certainly suffer the consequences, perhaps even their lives. It seems crazy to think about allowing children to do something dangerous, but every day millions of American children are slowly killing themselves with dangerous and unhealthy foods. Of the 33.8 percent of Americans diagnosed with obesity in 2010, 17 percent were children aged two to nineteen. In other words, obese children make up almost half of the total obese people in America, and that's a surprising fact. (CDC, nd). These children are not overweight, but obese. It is clear that finding a solution is important to the future health of this country; Yet solving this serious problem requires the cooperation of all Americans. Education and conversation about the dangers of obesity will help society unite and develop a comprehensive life plan. Working together within the school system, the community and especially at home can significantly reduce childhood obesity. To understand childhood obesity in America, it is important to understand the causes of childhood obesity, how it affects children and families, and what people can do to help in the fight against childhood obesity. One way to understand how children become obese is to learn about how the environment affects their daily lives. The neighborhoods in which children live generally depend on the income level of the parent or guardian. If a child lives in a safe neighborhood with parks, sidewalks and a low crime rate, they are more likely to go out and play. Some...... middle of paper ......e. WebMD, retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20110804/study-healthy-eating-costs-moreMangu-Ward, K. (October 14, 2011). Five myths about healthy eating. The Washington Post, retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/five-myths-about-healthy-eating/2011/10/10/gIQAK9uZkL_story.htmlOverweight and Obesity, (nd). Childhood overweight and obesity. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/data.htmlPoppendieck, J. (December 17, 2010). 5 myths about school food. The Washington Post, retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/17/AR2010121702561_pf.html Rahman, T., Cushing, RA and Jackson, RJ (2011). Contributions of the built environment to childhood obesity. Mount Siani Journal of Medicine, 78(1), 49-57. doi:10.1002/msj.20235 from Kaplan Library