cates that the child is overweight, however, anything equal to or greater than 95th percentile is considered obese. National Obesity trends indicate approximately 17% (or 12.5 million) of children and adolescents age 2-19 years of age are obese During the past 20 years there has been a dramatic increase in childhood obesity statistics and general obesity in the United States. In 2008, only one state (Colorado) had a prevalence of obesity less than 20%. Thirty-two states had prevalence equal to or greater than 25%; six of these states (Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia) had a prevalence of obesity equal to or greater than 30% (NHANES). Could this increase in the Southern United States be caused by the high salt and fat products used in southern home cooking also known as Soul Food?
             Childhood obesity is the result of eating too many calories and not getting enough physical activity. Over feeding and poor diet is the main cause of childhood obesity. However, there are other factors that play a role in childhood obesity. Some of the main factors include: lack of daily, quality, physical activity in all schools, no safe and appealing place in many communities for a child to be active, and television and media including advertisement of less healthy foods. Yes, some of the blame does lie within the
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