The childhood obesity epidemic in America is a national health crisis. One in every three children aged 2 to 19 is overweight or obese. The life-threatening consequences of this epidemic create a compelling and critical call for action that cannot be ignored. Obesity is estimated to cause 112,000 deaths per year in the United States, and one third of all children born in the year 2000 are expected to develop diabetes during their lifetime. The current generation may even be on track to have a shorter lifespan than their parents. This book focuses on the research and scientific information on the causes and consequences of childhood obesity which form the platform on which to build our national policies and partner with the private sector to end the childhood obesity epidemic.