It is the first time in two centuries that the current generation of children in America may have a shorter lifespan than their parents. Causes
Childhood obesity can be brought on by a range of factors which often act in combination. "Obesogenic environment" is the medical term set aside for this mixture of elements. The greatest risk factor for child obesity is the obesity of both parents. This may be reflected by the familys environment and genetics. Other reasons may also be due to psychological factors and the childs body type. A 2010 review stated that childhood obesity likely is the result of the interaction of natural selection favouring those with more parsimonious energy metabolism and todays consumerist society with easy access to energy dense cheap foods and less energy requirements in daily life.Factors include the increase in use of technology, increase in snacks and portion size of meals, and the decrease in the physical activity of children. A study found kids that use electronic devices 3 or more hours a day had between a 17- 44% increased risk of being overweight, or a 10- 61% increased risk of obese (Cespedes 2011).Childhood obesity is common among children from, low-income, African American and Hispanic communities. This is mainly because minority children spend less time playing outside the house and staying active. Some contributors to childhood obesity is that parents would rather have their children stay inside the home because they fear that gang, drug violence, and other dangers might harm them.
The study also found that, while obesity that continues into adulthood has little influence on mens outcomes, it makes women less likely to have ever been employed or to currently have a romantic partner.A 2017 National Bureau of Economic Research paper found that childhood obesity in the United States increases medical costs by $1,354 a year (in 2013 dollars). See also
International Journal of Pediatric Obesity
Task Force on Childhood Obesity
Classification of childhood obesity
Obesity and the environment
Social influences on fitness behavior
Social stigma of obesity
Sugary drink tax
EPODE International NetworkTransport:

Active mobility
Childrens street culture
Childrens street games
Cycling mobility
Home zone / Play street
Obesity and walking
Student transport
Walking bus

Footnotes
Further reading
Laura Dawes, Childhood Obesity in America: Biography of an Epidemic. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2014. External links

"North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2008-08-27.