What can be done to lower the obesity rate among children?

I think the answer to that is ridiculously simple. Both kids and parents alike should quit being so lazy and immobile - fast food, video games, laying around the house and snacking all day - good old fashioned outdoor play and home cooked meals would work wonders!

First we need to feed them better food. That means no McDonald's, no icecream, no Oreos, any of that kind of food. The UK just implemented a new school lunch program at a lot of schools that provides inexpensive, healthful lunch to students. I don't know the details, but it was started by the man that hosts "The Naked Chef" cooking show. From what I understand, the lunches are easy to make and actually cost less. Once the meals are more healthful, we need to cut back on portions, big time. For meals at home, use more fresh vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains. There are many cookbooks and recipe guides out now that present healthier alternatives to common favorites, as well as quick meals for those on the go.

Next we need to promote physical activity in children. Kids these days spend too much time watching TV and playing video games and on the internet. The big step here is to make them play outside. Organized sports will be a good answer for some kids, mostly the athletically gifted ones, but others will need other opportunities.

Keep in mind that some kids are just bigger do to developmental differences, but most people shouldn't be obese under normal circumstances, so it just takes a little effort.

Edit: I'm not solely blaming video games either. I have plenty of friends that play video games and aren't overweight. The point I was going for was that they need to be outside engaging in physical activity more often. Board games would be just as bad as TV and video games if it's all a kid does.

Get them hooked early on healthy food instead of getting them hooked on McDonald's. I mean never buy them Junk fast food or sugar filled beverages like soda a single time during their childhood. Hamburgers and such are not quality food they are comfort food. Comfort food is a learned association that is cultural and can be prevented by not making an association with junk food and comfort. Healthy food tastes much better if done properly. If you just serve plain steamed vegetables they're pretty gross. If you serve vegetables with Indian or Thai curry they're delicious.

Unfortunately this requires everyone to make healthy choices which is not going to happen. They can make laws like no junk food in school cafeteria's but they cant ban junk food elsewhere. It does seem like healthy food is becoming more trendy though which is good but I don't know if it will last or if will grow any stronger.

Edit: Lots of people here seem to be blaming video games. I played lots of video games as a child, and still do and am not overweight. Lots of other people my age could say the same thing. It is important for them to get exercise but having some relaxation also is not a bad thing. People need some time to rest their tired muscles after exercising. Just make sure things are balanced between exercise and relaxation.

About once every couple months, when I have little other choice, I go to McDonald's..and I get a happy meal because that is really all the food i need, and I can give the toy to my daughter.

Well yesterday I got one, and was looking at the bottom where the nutritional info was.

For a small cheeseburger and small fry (not including the drink) it was 500 calories.

That it a lot of empty calories for anyone especially a child.

I think that we as parents should be the PARENTS and get over any "hurt feelings" our kids may get when we tell them No to something that lessens their quality of life and in the end may very kill them.

Taste buds are learned, not innate...

(that seems to be becoming my motto)

Especially among children, it has primarily has to do with lifestyle. Staying at home, having the t.v. is a baby sitter doesn't help, playing too much video games, etc. Snacks has always been a problem, along with lack of exercise (whether through PhysEd in school or just simple playing). So encouraging children to be more socially active will probably help a great deal, along with servings of healthy snacks/meals (like fruit, cereals, etc.). Keeping an eye on the children's intake as well is just as important to monitor the overall health.

It boils down to exercise and proper diet.

Kids don't exercise like they used to. They don't go out to play much anymore. They play video games and watch TV all the time or sit in front of their computers.

They also eat WAY too much fast food. Eating a proper diet with normal foods will help.

No junk food in the cafeteria, only serve healthy food. And increase the amount of physical activity in school.

Get their parents to stop buying & eating a bunch of junk themselves! This includes fast food. Get their parents to stop giving their children junk food instead of personal attention. Get their parents to stop using the television or video games as babysitters. Get their parents to send them outside to play instead.

parents need to be "parents" instead of being so selfishly busy they throw junk at their kids and they dont care, put them kids in sports and walk with their kids, get bikes to ride, it should be a felony to any parent who over feeds their child, kids now are dying too young due to heart problems from being obese and shame on any parent who over feeds their kids, you should all be in prison.

stop feeding them candy and donuts every ten minutes, unplug the TV and video games and kick them out of the house sit them on a bicycle and tell them to play ,be home for supper and than go play tag til dark.