It’s normal for children to gain weight to support growth and development, but too much weight is unhealthy. Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that affects about 15 percent of children…and that number is growing. It is defined as weight being well above normal for age and height. Childhood obesity can lead to serious health risks, psychological, and social problems. Overweight children are more likely to develop diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, problems that were once found almost exclusively in adults. There are other complications, too, such as asthma, early puberty and depression. Obesity is most commonly caused by eating too much and exercising too little, but genetics and hormones can play a role. Treatment for obesity is based on the child’s age and other medical conditions. For children younger than 7, treatment is targeted at maintaining weight rather than weight loss. This allows the child to enter a healthy weight range as he or she grows, that is, adding inches without adding pounds. For children older than 7, or for younger children with health concerns, weight loss should be gradual. Medicine to reduce hunger and even weight loss surgery may be appropriate in some cases. Watch more video about childhood obesity or share your story or experience on video with icyou.