At the simplest level, childhood obesity is caused by an energy imbalance—children consuming more energy (calories) through foods and beverages than they expend through normal growth, physical activity and daily living.

Developing research suggests that the environments our children live in have a profound impact on the foods they eat and the amount of activity they get. For example, most students have little or no time to be active at school, while junk foods and sugary drinks are readily available. Many families live in communities that offer limited access to affordable healthy foods, have few safe places for kids to play or do not support walking or biking.

To reverse the childhood obesity epidemic, we must help kids balance the number of calories they’re consuming and burning each day. This means making changes to the environments in which our children live, learn and play that support healthy eating and physical activity. The center has suggested policy strategies at the federal, state and local government levels as well as strategies for businesses, schools, community and faith based organizations can begin to employ.

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