Childhood Obesity-Are the parents to blame?

According to recent federal findings, the number of American children from the ages of six to eleven has tripled in the last forty-years, with one in every seven of these children meeting the criteria for obesity (Better Nutrition 28). Children, like the rest of Americans, are living more and more sedentary life styles. Childhood obesity in school-aged children is rising, and it's the responsibility of the parents to prevent this from happening to their own children. …

…sweetened juice and cereals should be high in fiber and low in sweeteners. Although there are influences on a child's weight gain that may not be totally controllable, there is always a way to counteract them. And it is up to the parents to begin this routine before it is too difficult or just too late. With the life-threatening and health-hindering side effects related to obesity, why would any parent want to take that chance?