America's obesity epidemic provides staggering statistics, most alarming are those affecting children.

In the United States, 68% of adults are estimated to be overweight, with 36% falling in the obesity category. Roughly 16% of children age 6-19 are estimated to be obese, and so are at least 10% of children age 2-5. Approximately 325,000 deaths in the U.S. each year are attributed to obesity, which can contribute to an array of other health problems from cardiovascular disease and diabetes to loss of mobility and depression.

In this episode, physical therapist Margaret "Maggie" O'Neil, PT, PhD, MPH, of Drexel University, discusses the impact of being overweight and obese for children, and specific programs designed to get them active, moving, and healthy.  She also addresses the dangers of being overweight children leading to being overweight adults, and the associated health risks, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, loss of mobility, and depression.

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Read more about obesity and other pediatric conditions physical therapists treat.

Maggie O'Neil, PT, PhD, MPH, is an associate professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences at Drexel University. She holds a secondary appointment in the School of Public Health, Department of Community Health and Prevention. Dr. O'Neil's conducts interdisciplinary research with child health researchers from medicine, nutrition, exercise science, public health and health psychology.