Childhood obesity in America is growing at an alarming rate. In 2011, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that between years 1980 and 2008, childhood obesity increased tremendously. In children aged 6 to 11 years old, childhood obesity increased from 7% to nearly 20%. Just as astonishing, were the obesity rates for adolescence children during that same period. In adolescent children aged 12 to 19, obesity rates rose from 5% to 18%. That is more than 3 times the rate in almost 30 years (CDC, 2011). Most people understand the concept of obesity. Basically, the amount of calories you consume far outweighs the amount of calories you burn off. Sounds easy, but if that is true, then why are kids these days, which are supposedly stronger and faster than we were at their age, so overweight. Some would argue that genetics is a major reason for childhood obesity. Others would say that it is a socioeconomic problem. Research will show that there are non-medical, self induced environmental factors that contribute to childhood obesity, the immediate and long term effects of childhood obesity and possible solutions to combat childhood obesity and maintain a healthy lifestyle.…