No matter how we might try to sugarcoat it, childhood obesity is unhealthy. No matter where you look, you hear stories of how dangerous the epidemic is becoming. It's no surprise that when we have so many overweight children, people are terrified when they look towards the future. You don't have the power to solve this problem yourself. But if you have a child, stop a moment to consider his or her future.

We know that the effects of childhood obesity are very dangerous. A child who is obese is at risk for many health problems and diseases: Diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are just a few possibilities.

Then there are the negative social effects of childhood obesity. Children can be very mean to each other, especially at school. An overweight child is an obvious target; they are often teased and made the butt of jokes.

This is no life for a child, who never seems to be accepted and is always made fun of. These children suffer daily as they are not chosen for sports teams, not invited to birthday parties, and not asked to the school dance because they are too 'fat.'

When more people realize the effects of childhood obesity, perhaps we will all stand up and make a change. But today, you can start with your own child when it's time for dinner. Just by teaching your child the difference between what is healthy for them and what is not, you can begin to develop good eating habits that will reduce or stop childhood obesity. Your child depends on you, the parent, to teach him or her what's right and how to eat. Your child deserves a better quality of life, and he or she depends on you to provide it and avoid childhood obesity. Don't sentence your child to a life of sadness and sickness. Do your part to end the childhood obesity epidemic by starting with your child.