In the context of a harsh wilderness existence, it made sense to praise God for sending food from heaven "in abundance," as the psalmist does this Sunday. But in the context of affluent America, abundant food and poor eating and exercise habits have resulted in a tripling of the rate of severe childhood obesity in the U.S. in the past quarter century.

A national focus on childhood obesity is "overdue," U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Tuesday at a government meeting. Currently about one-third of kids are overweight or obese, putting them at risk for type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, asthma, depression, and a whole host of other health problems.

About two-thirds of adults are overweight or obese, which increases their risk of chronic diseases. "We are killing ourselves, and more importantly, we are killing our children," Sebelius said.

"Children are not only becoming obese, but becoming severely obese," said Joseph Skelton, M.D., lead author of a report just published in Academic Pediatrics and director of the Brenner FIT (Families in Training) Program, part of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

Changes need to be made in schools and communities across the country, said Sebelius. "Some say kids won't eat healthy foods. I don't think that's the case," she said. She pointed out that half the kids at one school in California eat at the salad bar because they like the fresh produce rather than "vegetables that looked like they have been saved for a month or so."

And there are too many schools that don't offer physical education or even recess, she said. "That's not only bad for their health, but bad for their minds."

Source: Articles by Nancy Hellmich for USA TODAY and by ScienceDaily.com