In 1999, experts reported that between twenty and thirty percent of American children suffered from obesity, a rate which has doubled since 1980 (Berger, 302). Many consider it normal and cute to see a baby with a lot of baby fat; but fat children are at a physical, psychological, and social disadvantage (Berger, 304). Childhood obesity is a serious problem with a variety of causes. Genes affect a persons shape, but genes vary little from one generation to the next, so nurture or family habits have more of an impact on a persons shape.
             A child's level of activity affects their weight. Inactivity causes a person to burn fewer calories. Children eat more and burn fewer calories, when watching television than they would have if they were engaged in active play. One study found that children actually burn fewer calories watching television than if they were not engaged in any activity whatsoever. The study commented that when children are glued to the television they fall into a deep relaxed state, akin to semi-consciousness, that lowers their metabolism below its normal at-rest-rate. Watching television, on average, lowers a person's metabolism twelve percent lower than a person of a normal weight and sixteen percent lower than a person who is obese (Berger, 304).
             Many people in the United States are afflicted with obesity. I am an eyewitness of this epidemic. I work at a donut shop and each day I see many adults and children who are obese. We see, in the media, all sorts of promise and miracle cures that claim to be able to make people loose weight. There are machines that promise to make one look like a supermodel in six easy weeks by using it three times a week, without any other changes to a person's routine. There are pills that promise to shed pounds and inches and actually allow you to eat more, again making no changes to your daily routine or intake of food. There are diets that promise health,...