Childhood obesity in America

Today's kindergartners are heavier than kids brought up in the 1970s and 1980s and appear to be on the road to becoming overweight and obese in the years to come, a new study finds. (Healthday News)

In this photo taken Oct. 3, 2011, an infant’s growth is measured during a check-up at Children’s Hospital Boston. A new study by researchers there says babies who progress past at least two percentiles in weight and length on growth charts are at risk for obesity later in childhood. (AP Photo/Children's Hospital Boston)

Lu Zhihao, 4, takes a nap at a kindergarten in Foshan, Guangdong province March 29, 2011. REUTERS/Joe Tan/Files

AURORA, CO - NOVEMBER 20: A child takes a plate of healthy snacks during the Shapedown program for overweight adolescents and children on November 20, 2010 in Aurora, Colorado. The 10-week family-centered program held by the Denver area Children's Hospital teaches youth and their parents ways to lead a healthier more active lifestyle, as a longer lasting weight-loss alternative to dieting. Nationally, some 15 percent of children are overweight or obese, as are some 60 percent of adults. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

AURORA, CO - NOVEMBER 20: An overweight child reads her part in a humorous skit held during the Shapedown program for overweight adolescents and children on November 20, 2010 in Aurora, Colorado. The 10-week family-centered program held by the Denver area Children's Hospital teaches youth and their parents ways to lead a healthier more active lifestyle, as a longer lasting weight-loss alternative to dieting. Nationally, some 15 percent of children are overweight or obese, as are some 60 percent of adults. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

AURORA, CO - NOVEMBER 13: A child sits on the gym floor during the Shapedown program for overweight adolescents and children on November 13, 2010 in Aurora, Colorado. The 10-week family-centered program held by the Denver area Children's Hospital teaches youth and their parents ways to lead a healthier more active lifestyle, as a longer lasting weight-loss alternative to dieting. Nationally, some 15 percent of children are overweight or obese, as are some 60 percent of adults. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

AURORA, CO - NOVEMBER 13: A child sits in a nutrition class during the Shapedown program for overweight adolescents and children on November 13, 2010 in Aurora, Colorado. The 10-week family-centered program held by the Denver area Children's Hospital teaches youth and their parents ways to lead a healthier more active lifestyle, as a longer lasting weight-loss alternative to dieting. Nationally, some 15 percent of children are overweight or obese, as are some 60 percent of adults. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

SAN FRANCISCO - NOVEMBER 12: School children at Fairmount Elementary School look at a display showing how much sugar is in soft drinks and juices on November 12, 2010 in San Francisco, California. San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom announced today that he vetoed a controversial legislation that was approved by the San Francisco board of supervisors that would ban toys in fast food "happy meals." He promoted his "Shape Up SF" program as a more effective way to combat childhood obesity by encouraging children to eat better, exercise and for schools to offer healthy food choices that include fresh vegetables. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

SAN FRANCISCO - NOVEMBER 12: Cafeteria worker Rosaria Tufo hands out plates of fresh vegetables to students at Fairmount Elementary School on November 12, 2010 in San Francisco, California. San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom announced today that he vetoed a controversial legislation that was approved by the San Francisco board of supervisors that would ban toys in fast food "happy meals." He promoted his "Shape Up SF" program as a more effective way to combat childhood obesity by encouraging children to eat better, exercise and for schools to offer healthy food choices that include fresh vegetables. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

FILE - In this Feb. 9, 2011 file photo, First Lady Michelle Obama talks about her "Lets Move" campaign at North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Ga. Encouraged by Michelle Obama’s campaign to reduce childhood obesity, the company that owns the Olive Garden, Red Lobster and four other popular restaurant chains is pledging to cut the calories and sodium in its meals and overhaul its kids’ fare. (AP Photo/John Amis, File)

This image made Thursday, April 21, 2011 shows a page from the website www.stopchildhoodobesity.com. The advertisement, part of a "Stop Child Obesity" campaign in Georgia, won some enthusiastic praise for their attention-grabbing tactics. But they also have outraged parents, activists and academics who feel the result is more stigma for an already beleaguered group of children. (AP Photo)