The adolescent obesity epidemic: Why, how long, and what to do about it

The epidemic of obesity among adolescents is a serious public health concern. If the epidemic is not reversed, millions of youth will be affected, and the nation will be left to face the staggering health and economic consequences of obesity. The burden of obesity is disproportionately borne by nonwhite and low-income youth and by people in the rural, Southern regions of the United States. Effective obesity interventions designed to establish healthy eating and activity behaviors are needed; however, it is unlikely that such efforts will be sufficient. The public health response to obesity should be broad-based and target corrective changes in the eating and activity environments of youth.