In recent decades, obesity has become a major health problem among young people in the United States. With 31% of children in the United States obese, the United States has become the country with the highest obesity rate in the world. Obesity is not only found among adults, but today it is found especially among children and adolescents. Childhood is a very important period for the onset of obesity, especially in this period. The eating practices that are taught or learned to children during childhood influence a person later in his or her life, whether he or she knows it or not. Numerous studies have confirmed that childhood obesity in the United States has been on the rise for years. One in three children in the United States is obese, and most are at increased risk for medical, social, and academic problems. Childhood obesity also leads to many health problems among young people. These problems include diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and many more. These problems cause increased healthcare costs that their families may have to pay at some point. Parental and media influence play a major role in causing these problems. Some people believe that a family with an obese child should not raise child protection concerns if obesity is the only cause of concern (Callaghan, 2010). However, clinicians should always be aware of the possible role of abuse or neglect in contributing to obesity. The result of some research conducted on the symptoms of abandonment shows a clear correlation between childhood abuse and obesity during childhood. A study of American school children found that, after controlling for socioeconomic status, those who had experienced physical abuse were more likely to be obese (Callaghan, 201...... half of paper..... .nment Intervention for a Childhood Epidemic." Washington Post. The Washington Post, November 29, 2011. Web. May 6, 2012. Easterling, Kelli. "Should Government Protect Obese Children From Their Parents?" McClatchy-Tribune Information Services, July 19 2011. Web. May 6, 2012. Hellmich, Nanci, “Report Outlines Solutions to Childhood Obesity.” USA Today n.d.: MAS ULTRA-School Edition Web, May 6, 2012. Holden, Diana. “Fact Check: The Cost of Obesity". , February 9, 2010. Web. May 6, 2012. "Media and Childhood Obesity." FCC.gov. Web. May 6, 2012. Tanner, Lindsey "Should Parents Lose Custody of Extremely Obese Children?" Post. TheHuffingtonPost .com, July 12, 2011. Web. May 6, 2012. “The Impact of Food Advertising on Childhood Obesity.” Network. 06 May 2012.