Childhood and preteen obesity is now a very common modern phenomenon. The last statistics show 15% of children have weights in the obese range and another 15% at risk for the same.

There are many exposed causes of this epidemic.

• Eating and food choices would be #1 on my list.

Choosing high fat, high sugar foods and drinks is a norm for most. The food industry have successfully marketted their death plan to our kids and their unwitting parents.

The exchange of nutrition for speed and taste. Packaging suited to our troops in combat is served up daily in most homes and restaurants and at an aerly age, children know their tastes and symbols of pleasure and are set up for their lethal indulgence.

Choices of snacks have taken our our shopping experience. There are aisles and miles of junkfoods just waiting to be grabbed by the craver.

The more nutitious and natural foods are more expensive and have become the "can't have" of those who are lower incomed.

Parents not taking the control in teaching children about the dangers of unhealthy food choices.

• A second issue in the Child obesity battle is low activity during this high energy growth life phase. Some of the common causes here is environment. Even some schools have ineffective, low standard playgrounds that is age appropriate. Home environment may not be conducive for playing outdoors. They may not have the space or maybe deemed unsafe. Electronics, TV and video games also played a role in producing sedentary kids or "couch potatoes".
• On a lower scale, hormonal imbalances and emotional problems also have their roles in childhoos obesity.

 Games like the Nintendo Wii Fit was designed to incorporate fun and fitness for the otherwise inactive kids. Adults are also welcome, I enjoy it as well. It is a fun way to interact as a family with the added benifit of exercise in the safety of the home.

Hopelabs has now developed a device to encourage increased activity in children and teenagers. This is the gDitty, a cool companion to older kids, much like the ipod and cellphone which tracks their activites and has built in reward systems to encourage increased activities.

The gDitty is being tested on kids around the USA.