Video Media and Childhood Obesity Childhood obesity has now reached a critical level. The main reason for the increasing number of obese children is inactivity. Because childhood obesity is linked to many health problems, it is important to not only stop the rise in childhood obesity, but also reverse it. With their health at risk, it is imperative that we ensure our children are physically fit and at a healthy weight. The stakes are quite high, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services: "Being overweight during childhood and adolescence increases the risk of developing high cholesterol, hypertension, respiratory diseases, orthopedic problems, depression and type 2 diabetes…, type 2 diabetes.” has increased significantly among children and adolescents. Our children are getting fatter because they spend more time in front of video screens, either watching television or playing video games, than participating in physical activities. Although technology improves lives in many areas, it has a negative effect on the physical well-being of our young people. Television has not always played such an important role in family life. It wasn't a daily activity, it was something occasional. Before television was at the forefront of families' daily lives and technology gave us near-realistic video games, children played outside. They played baseball, football and flashlight. They built tree forts and rode bikes. It wasn't about organized events, it was just about how they played on a daily basis. “A study by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that our young people now spend an average of five hours a day, or 40% of their waking hours, in front of electronic devices. And behavior starts in middle of paper......children would prefer games and physical activities. They simply don't know what to do or how to incorporate physical activities into their routine. It's time to teach our children new and active ways to have fun and be healthy. Works Cited Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. Childhood obesity, aspe.hhs.gov. US Department of Health and Human Services, nd Web. February 10, 2012. Food research and action. Relationship between poverty and overweight or obesity.,frac.org 2011. Web. February 10, 2012. Kumanyika, Shirika and Sonya Grier. Children's Futures Princeton Brookings. Childhood obesity, targeted interventions for ethnic minorities and low-income populations., futureofchildren.org. Spring 2006. Web. February 11, 2012. Video games, television and childhood obesity. Dad said. Daddysays.com., June 2010. Web. February 10 2012.