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A Study Says: Shape Up, World

In recent years, scientists have said that too many kids in the United States are overweight or obese. A new study published in an international medical journal shows that this is not just an American problem. Kids in other countries are also eating too much junk food. They have become less physically active and are putting on pounds.

The number of over-weight children through-out the world is expected to increase dramatically by 2010. Researchers say that if nothing is done, an estimated 26 million kids in the European Union will be overweight or obese. The number of obese children in the Middle East is expected to double to nearly 12%. In Asia, the number could triple to 5%.

The International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) conducted the study. Researchers looked at medical data from the World Health Organization and individual nations.

Obesity can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease and diabetes. If trends continue, health-care programs in many countries would be over-burdened. Philip James, chairman of the IOTF, called childhood obesity "a global epidemic."

Tim Lobstein, a doctor who worked on the study, said that the findings were "extremely worrying." He hopes that the study will prompt world leaders to "take immediate action to protect our children and stop this runaway trend."

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