Obesity in children is rising dramatically, and it comes with major – and sometimes lifelong – health consequences

Knowing how to talk to kids about healthful eating is key. MI PHAM/Unsplash

In the past two decades, children have become more obese and have developed obesity at a younger age. A 2020 report found that 14.7 million children and adolescents in the U.S. live with obesity.

Because obesity is a known risk factor for serious health problems, its rapid increase during the COVID-19 pandemic raised alarms.