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There is little debate obesity is a major problem in America today. It affects the young and old, all ethnic groups and both genders. This disease takes on a tragic dimension when we consider children.

Today, it’s estimated more than 25 million children are obese or nearly so. This increases their chances of adult obesity which can lead to heart disease, type II diabetes, sleep disorders and high cholesterol.

Central to this health issue is poor diet and lack of exercise. Today kids may get 30 percent or more of their calories from nutritionally poor foods like snacks and sweets.

Many of our public schools could help by providing better choices. Plus - we are becoming a country of the physically “unfit”.

It’s undeniable the problem is self induced but there’s evidence a percentage of these cases may have a genetic origin. Biomedical scientists have identified hundreds of genes affecting caloric intake, appetite and weight.

One newly identified gene is melanocortin 3 receptor or MC3R. It’s important in weight control and may be a factor in 5% of obesity cases. Children who had alterations in the MC3R gene ate more of their favorites foods accounting for over 400 extra calories than those without the mutations. We don’t understand how this gene behaves and it may be years before we can come up with treatments.

Recent research has also identified a hormone called peptide YY or PYY which signals the brain when we’re satiated. Clinical studies show subjects receiving PYY consume significantly fewer calories than control subjects.

This research is crucial in curbing the trend of childhood obesity.

If nothing is done, could this generation of children be the first to have a shorter life span than their parents?