Why is child obesity controversial?

Like any form of obesity, lifestyle is the problem.

With modern life meaning parents work long hours and there is not normally a parent at home to cook healthy meals from scratch any more frozen or fast food is becoming a regular meal for many children. Also the abundance of snacks and refined sugar mean children are often getting many more calories than is needed for their weight to stay stable.

The lack of physical exercise also means children are putting on more and more weight. With televisions providing children's shows 24 hours a day children can sit and watch as long as they want. Along side computer games and other modern technology means that children do not spend the same amount of time running around and creating their own games, that they did 10 or 20 years ago.