Today, approximately 25 percent of children and adolescents are obese and this figure is increasing. Since the 1960s, childhood obesity has increased by 54 percent among children aged six to eleven. Among children aged twelve to seventeen, it increased by 39 percent. (Silberstein, 1) Childhood obesity is so prevalent in these age groups that it has reached epidemic proportions. One of the causes of childhood obesity is genetics. Children whose parents or siblings are overweight are at increased risk of becoming obese themselves. Genetics accounts for about 25 to 40 percent of childhood obesity. (Causes of Obesity, 2) Although genetics are an important factor, diet and lifestyle also play an important role in the increase in childhood obesity. Consumption of soft drinks has an impact on childhood obesity. According to France Ellisle of the French Institute of Health and Medical Research, there is a direct link between weight gain and sugar. The average teenager consumes about fifteen to twenty teaspoons of sugar daily. (Scott, 2 years old) Along with sugar, children are eating more and more fast food. The sit-down dinner is over. In most families, both parents work full time, leaving little time to prepare healthy meals. Parents are looking for fast, inexpensive food that satisfies the child. The problem with fast food is that it has very little nutritional value and is often high in fat and salt, with a healthy dose of added preservative.....