If you've been following the news at all lately, you have no doubt heard of the ever growing problem of childhood obesity. Heck, you don’t need to watch the news; just look around you and you will notice that kids nowadays are much plumper than in years past.

There are a few factors that are the cause for our children blowing up in weight.

The main reason is quite simply that kids today are much more sedentary than any generation before. Back in the day, before the internet and video games, kids entertained themselves with physical activities like stick ball, tag, jumping rope, ripping and running for no reason at all, etc.

I remember how at the end of the day I would come home and flop out on the bed from playing all day with my friends. We were always doing something. Nowadays, kids simply veg-out in front of the tv playing their video games.

With crime and violence out in the streets, many parents are afraid to let their children play out in the streets or travel too far from home. That’s one of the reasons why indoor activities like playing video games and the internet have become so popular.

Another major factor In the ballooning weight of today’s children is fast food! Have you noticed that while almost everything else is going in price(gas,milk,produce,etc,)the price of fast food is going down!

The major fast food chains are at war with each other and each one is constantly trying to out-do each other, usually by lowering their prices. Now they even have dollar menus where you can really fill your belly for a few bucks.

Kids love fast food. Unfortunately, fast food is loaded with fat and calories that really pack on the pounds. Combine this with a sedentary life style and you have the recipe for childhood obesity.

With the epidemic of childhood obesity you would think the powers that be would be doing everything they could to combat this problem. but inexplicably, physical education classes(gym)are being eliminated all across the country! The reason, they say, is to save money! That’s crazy!!

Obviously, then, if we want our children to be physically fit and healthy, we have to take matters into our own hands.

Instead of allowing them to veg-out in front of the tv or on the computer, encourage them to be physically active by playing sports or some other fun activities where they are physically active.

Let fast food be an occasional snack instead of a regular part of their diet. Educate your self about good nutrition and plan healthier meals.

Michael Sibley is a health and fitness enthusiast and the owner of http://www.myfreeweightlosstips.info Sign up today for a free newsletter for valuable free health and fitness secrets and a special gigt worth $25!