The United States is known for its large population of overweight adults. Now our adults are not our only problem; Our nation's youth have adopted the poor eating habits of their parents, aunts, uncles and even peers. There is no single explanation for why our children have gotten so big. The reasons range from genetics to socioeconomic status. Unfortunately, this often undiscussed issue applies to both children and adolescents, hence the term “childhood obesity.” Generally, when the word "child" is used, it is referring to someone between the ages of six and eleven, while when the word "adolescent" is used, it is typically referring to someone between the ages of 12 and 17 years old. These age groups seem very, very young to be talking about obesity, but the problem is very real for Americans in that age group. Much of our culture in America today is based on the media and the people involved. Fast food marketing is constantly broadcast on television, radio, etc. and Internet advertising, so the desire for that type of food is ever present in the mind of the average American. In America, many busy people usually choose to eat fast food, due to lack of time and energy, instead of a healthier alternative is contributing to the decline of health in America. With today's fast-paced society and America's growing fast food marketing companies, people are eating more fatty foods than ever. Companies spend billions of dollars marketing food, beverages, and meals to children and youth (Mackey) . So, when you ask a child what he wants to eat, he will choose the food he saw on television. Americans also show a lack of willpower in choosing healthy meals, which may be responsible for the rise in obesity. Food eaters are now in the... middle of paper... for the foods they sell somewhere, so you can see what's in the food you're eating and maybe make better choices. All these things help. I don't know how long it will take before the number of obese people starts to decline. Bad food will always be available, so everyone needs to learn to be responsible for what they eat and how much they exercise. This is the only way to solve the problem. Works Cited Murphy, Jenny. “The Super-Sizing of America.” Speak clearly. June 15, 2007. May 3, 2011Healy, Melissa. “Obesity often follows young people into adulthood.” August 14, 2009. May 3, 2011 United States Department of Health and Human Services. “Why obesity is a problem”. 2011. www.hhs.gov. Network. May 3, 2011.Mackey, Maureen. "Fast food". Tax times. April 22, 2010. Web. May 3, 2011Healy, Bernardine. “The obesity epidemic is not just a matter of willpower.” October 14, 2009. Web. May 3 2011.