A Big, Big ProblemEverything seems to be getting bigger and bigger in America, including children. When we look around us, we see that a large number of people, young and old, are overweight or obese. Each year, rates of overweight children rise steadily, along with the health and financial costs required to support them. Today, a third of children and adolescents in the United States are overweight or obese. To alleviate this concerning problem, schools should implement and execute policies to combat and prevent childhood obesity to avoid future repercussions. The government should require that almost all children enrolled in public and private schools participate in physical activities or sports. Taking care of student well-being must be a top priority for the school, and this absolutely must include children's fitness and weight. Physical education and athletics help prevent students from suffering from lifelong diseases by creating a fit and healthy body. Moving and exercising burns the extra amount of calories in order to stay in proper condition. However, removing or reducing physical education standards is harmful and only increases students' BMI or body mass index. BMI indicates whether or not a person may be underweight or overweight for their age and height. Studies show that childhood obesity is correlated with “insufficient physical activity” (Kersh, Stroup, Taylor). Today, young children and teenagers no longer need to walk to places or have that overwhelming desire and desire to go outside and play. The technology of our generation encourages children to sit at home and play games on their phones or computers rather than applying middle of paper....... Scott Barbour, 2010. Points opposing views in context. Gale Group, Web. April 11, 2014. Bruske, ed. “Improving school meal programs is complicated. » Should junk food be sold in schools? February 2010: np Opposing viewpoints in context. Gale Group, Web. April 11, 2014. Haskins, Ron; Donahue, Elizabeth; Paxson, Christine. “Schools should implement policies to help combat obesity.” School policies. 2008: np Opposing viewpoints in context. Galegroup, Web. April 11, 2014. Kersh, Rogan; Stroup, Donna F; Taylor, Wendell C. “Childhood Obesity: A Framework for Policy Approaches and Ethical Considerations.” » CDC.gov. CDC, August 2011. Web. April 10, 2014.Nannvev, Marilyn; Schwartz, Marlene; History, Marie. “Schools and Obesity Prevention: Creating School Environments and Policies to Promote Healthy Eating and Physical Activity.” » ncbi.nlm.hih.gov. NCBI, 2000. Web. April 10. 2014.