Much of what happens in this world is the result of cause and effect. For example, if a match is lit; a flame lights up if you put water on the flame; the flame goes out if additional fuel is added to the fire; the fire becomes bigger. One of the major problems in our society today, the obesity problem, stems from cause and effect. Although many factors are involved, the causes of obesity ultimately stem from the choices made by individuals. One of the causes of the continued increase in obesity in the United States is that the cycle of obesity, which is perpetuated from parents to children, continues. A poor pattern of nutrition and physical activity by obese parents has a profound negative effect on their children, and if we are ever able to stop rising obesity rates, the cycle of obesity will need to be broken. Obesity that begins in childhood can last throughout life. of health problems, such as; heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Childhood obesity also presents psychological risks such as; depression and low self-esteem. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 5 children is obese, which the organization defines as "a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex." Researchers, educators, doctors and families across the country are clamoring to find ways to change the statistics. Some people accuse fast food of being too tempting, essentially admitting that personal responsibility is not enough to combat the seductive effects of fast food advertising. Santa Clara County in California has gone so far as to ban toys in children's fast food meals. Santa Clara County Supervisor Ken Yeager says the ban will prevent "restaurants from exploiting children's love of toys for pe... but also from the genes that are passed down to them. If parents don't start becoming responsible of their children's health and weight problems, the rise in childhood obesity will not be stopped. If obesity rates continue to increase, our healthcare system will continue to be challenged in caring for people with complications related to obesity and everyone will suffer, even those who have chosen to live healthy lifestyles will not only increase health insurance premiums, but all taxpayers will end up footing the bill for obese public health beneficiaries. parents began to make better and healthier choices for themselves and their children, the cycle of obesity would be broken and there would be positive effects on their lives, as well as on our country..