As many of my regular viewers to this web blog know, there are many factors contributing to childhood obesity. I post daily here about it, whether news print articles, opinions, feedback, or just personal opinion.

Recently, I wrote an article for Yahoo! (click here) about childhood obesity. I started searching for sources for this article, and received over 100 responses to the question, “What do you think caused the rise in childhood obesity?” Responses came from professional and Olympic athletes, fitness experts, health experts, nutritionist, and parents.

I was unable to use everyone’s feedback, but thought it would be great to post some of their responses on my blog in a new web series, “What Causes Childhood Obesity.” I hope that you enjoy the opinions here from various individuals. Please remember, my including their posts does not necessarily mean I agree or endorse their opinion, rather, a place to share other people’s thoughts.

Childhood obesity is on the rise because children are stressed. Stress is fueled by technology overload, a sedentary lifestyle, academic and social pressures, and problems at home. Stress triggers junk food eating. Technology triggers mindless eating. Add emotional pressures to the recipe and you have an obese child. Children need to be taught happiness as a subject in school. This means coping skills, resilience, creative and physical activity.

Debbie Mandel, author of Addicted to Stress