January 3, 2005

(The Associated Press) -- BABY FAT: More than 10 percent of U.S. children ages 2 to 5 are overweight -- a figure up from 7 percent in 1994, the American Heart Association reports.

WEIGHING FAMILY VALUES: Experts blame the prevalence of junk food marketed to children, too much TV, and the decline in the number of families who sit down together to eat for the rise in obese children.

PLEASANTLY PLUMP OR DANGEROUS? Weight management clinics and pediatricians are seeing children with diabetes, high blood pressure -- and even liver disease. Current trends, doctors say, point to skyrocketing heart disease, stroke and diabetes in 10 to 30 years.