In total, 25 million U.S. children and adolescents are overweight or nearly overweight. This is particularly alarming since childhood obesity can evolve into medical problems, like diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity related disability. As a parent, there are things you can do to prevent or reverse childhood obesity. Be an example.

Put away soft drinks, chips and sugary snacks and concentrate on cooking healthier meals. Encourage exercise: Play ball with your kids, swim, run or tool around in the yard. Think health and teach health conscious behavior.

Like an individual who is addicted to gambling or drinking, some people get addicted to food and feel they must have it. They generally do not have enough will power to actually stop. Some people feel that they do not have any hope. They often do not see that there is a problem.

This is unfortunate, because obesity is so very dangerous. Individuals with obesity may be healthy now, but they generally do not stay that way. A lot of these people also have health problems because they are out of shape. Today, the risks of obesity are more obvious. Both doctors and the media talk about them a lot. Obesity has been seen as the next big epidemic problem because so many American people are overweight today.

The idea that obesity is unattractive is shared by many. With obesity, however, the main concern should be about overall health. It is thought that depression and unhappiness might cause obesity in some people. There is some discussion that making them happier may cause them to lose weight, as well. This may not actually be the case, though. Some people also deal with obesity because they are addicted to food. Childhood obesity can be reversed, and at best eliminated; all you need to do is take control of you and your family's health.

What can you do to stop childhood obesity?

Be proactive!

Start by cooking and eating a healthy diet, increasing physical activity and limiting TV watching and game playing to a few hours a day. You can encourage play by finding activities that your child likes to get involved in. Also, get everyone in on helping around the house.

Instilling the value of health consciousness as well as fostering fun and active pastimes, will allow you to keep childhood obesity at bay.

Childhood obesity can inflict long lasting psychological damage as well since overweight kids are often teased and bullied. This can lead to adolescent depression, suicidal tendencies or low self-esteem. People often relegate childhood obesity to a "stage" in development, thinking it is something a child will grow out of. This is dangerous thinking, particularly if the cause of childhood obesity is poor nutrition and inactivity.