Children are born with an innate curiosity and a strong drive for physical fitness. In the past, most preschool children achieved physical fitness through exploring their environments. However, recent studies indicate that childhood obesity in the United States has increased in the last 20 years. The most important factor leading to obesity at any age is low physical activity. It's estimated that children from 2 to 5 years of age watch 25.5 hours of television per week. This TV time takes away large amounts of time that could be spent in vigorous physical activity.

Another factor recently reported in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association is the rising rates of obesity due to the "super-sized" food portions at fast food restaurants. One study suggests that by the age of five, children will eat the amount of food given to them rather than the amount indicated by their hunger. Eating large amounts of food when not hungry results in a harmful food pattern that leads to childhood and adult obesity. 

Parents can help their children acquire the exercise habits needed for lifelong wellness by monitoring their children's environment. The critical time for laying the foundation of skills needed by children is from the ages of two to five. Research also suggests that parents allow children to determine how much they eat and not force them to eat everything on their plates.