We all know that childhood obesity is not healthy. No matter where you look, you hear stories of how dangerous the epidemic is becoming. People are looking at the future of the children and are terrified. 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.

The effects of childhood obesity aren't just alarming, they are downright 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.

This is not to mention the other 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.

Being a child that is not accepted, and who is made fun of is miserable. Just think of what their life is like when no one asks them out to the school dance because they're "too fat". Nobody wants them to play on their sports team. They never seem to get invited to birthday parties.

When more people realize the effects of childhood obesity, perhaps we will all stand up and make a change. But you can make a difference, starting with your own child at dinner time. You can instill good eating habits in your child that he or she will follow for life, if only you teach him or her the difference between healthy and unhealthy foods. This alone will help reduce or stop childhood obesity. Your child counts on you to teach him or her the right way to do things. As far as childhood obesity is concerned, your child needs you to give him or her a better way to live. 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.