A controversial issue surrounding our society today is the relationship between fast food restaurants and childhood obesity. Obesity has always been a problem in the United States; however, this problem has become even more serious in recent years. According to the Mayo Clinic, childhood obesity is defined as “when a child weighs well above the normal weight for his or her age and height” (Diseases and Conditions: Childhood Obesity). Nearly 20 percent of children and adolescents are now overweight, and the rate of obesity among preschoolers is increasing at an alarming rate (Childhood Obesity Facts). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “childhood obesity has more than doubled among children and quadrupled among adolescents over the past 30 years” (Childhood Obesity Facts). Many factors can lead to an increased risk of being overweight. Genetics, lack of physical activity, environment and, most importantly, an individual's eating habits are all among the factors that can affect a child's risk of obesity. There are many different opinions on this controversial topic. Some argue that fast food is responsible and that fast food advertisements target children, while others argue that fast food restaurants are not responsible at all, such as arguments that it is the eating habits of children around meals. What is the relationship between fast food and the growing rate of childhood obesity in the United States? Many health professionals believe that fast food restaurants are a major factor in the increase in childhood obesity in America. They believe that advertisements produced by fast food restaurants target children. Schools now also contribute to feeding children. With the simple answer “no,” they have the power to prevent their children from consuming this food, or at least from consuming it frequently, thereby increasing their risk of obesity at an early age. As they grow older and older, children also become mature enough to draw their own informed conclusions about the unhealthy effects of fast food. It is common knowledge and common sense that fast food is not a healthy alternative to home-cooked meals. It is even more well known today due to increasing publicity from health professionals claiming that frequent consumption of fast food is unhealthy. It also makes sense that fresh fruits and vegetables are a much healthier snack alternative than chips and beef jerky. Teenagers need to know that the decision to eat fast food and processed snacks increases their risk of obesity..