ABSTRACT
Approximately 17% of all school-age children in the United States are classified as overweight, and the prevalence of overweight has significantly increased over the past four decades (Ogden et al., 2006). Not only are more children becoming overweight, overweight children have consistently been getting heavier (Jolliffe, 2004). Similarly, more overweight has been seen in children at younger ages over the past two decades (Ogden et al., 2006). Overweight is not only a problem in the United States; it is estimated that more than 22 million children under the age of 5 years are overweight worldwide (Deckelbaum & Williams, 2001). In light of the incidence and prevalence of overweight in children (Ogden et al., 2006) and the impact it can have on their lives (Schwimmer, Burwinkle, & Varni, 2003; Zeller, Roehrig, Modi, Daniels, & Inge, 2006; Zeller, Saelens, Roehrig, Kirk, & Daniels, 2004), the need for prevention and treatment of this condition is clear.
