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The most recent annual National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that about one-third of U.S. children are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. Some 25 million U.S. children and adolescents are overweight or close to it.

The problems are eating too much and exercising too little. Then, of course, there's the issue of eating enough healthy foods.

The long-term effect is that these children become overweight adults with higher risks of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other ailments related to obesity. The costs are not just to each individual. The burden on the health-care system affects everyone.

American culture and the types of foods that are so readily available are part of the problem. The double-cheeseburger is fast, cheap and tasty. The push to get kids to eat healthier foods is often an uphill battle - especially when the adults are struggling with their own poor eating habits, Advertisers have for years successfully targeted kids in the push to sell high-sugar, high-fat junk food. Even school cafeterias have only recently started reforming themselves. And many students still are served corn dogs and chicken nuggets.

Changing patterns in your household can help, but won't erase the influence of the outside world.

Do you find yourself in constant battle with your kids over eating healthy foods? What do you do?

What changes could be made both individually and as a society to turn this trend around?