DECATUR - Linda Kehart had to laugh when her 5-year-old grandson, Aidan, told her he allowed other children to cut in front of him in line during soccer drills, but she was also very surprised at his actions.

While many of his fellow teammates and their parents thought Aidan was simply showing gentlemanly qualities, he had discovered he might not have to participate in the exercise if he continually moved to the back of the line.

Aidan has assumed an attitude that plagues much of the nation. And due largely to a lazy mindset and lack of effort on many levels, obesity has taken on a new role in the lives of adults and children.

Drive-through lanes, holiday feasts and candy bars waiting at the checkout aisle: Americans' lives revolve around food. That, coupled with increased inactivity, has made the United States one of the fattest countries in the world.

The incidence of child obesity and overweight is increasing around Decatur, said Dr. Mayra Arzon, a local pediatrician.

Kehart, a community health consultant, along with a Macon County Youth Health Task Force, found 29 percent of the 260 children measured in Macon County this summer were considered overweight, according to their body mass index reading. The prevalence of obese children age 6 to 11 has more than doubled, going from 7 percent in 1980 to 18.8 percent in 2004, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

An estimated 61 percent of overweight youth have at least one additional risk factor for heart disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure, according to the center. Additionally, children who are overweight are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes, which is now seen in children as young as preschool.

"You name it, and they're there," Arzon said of health problems associated with obesity. "The most significant are behavioral and emotional problems, like low self-esteem and depression. If families start early on, children are more likely to not have problems later. It's much easier to prevent than to treat."

Sometimes, little changes by the whole family might be all that is needed, Arzon said.

"There are so many food choices out there, almost every social event is focused on food, and people are not active enough," said Bonnie Kruse, food and nutrition manager for St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham. "All you hear about are eating low-fat foods, but you can do that and still consume a lot of calories. Calories are too easy to consume, and we don't have enough ways to burn it off."

Not only does the cold weather often prevent children from running off energy outdoors, a safety issue also has emerged.

"Kids are not as active sometimes because it's not as safe to be outside anymore," said Laura Etchason, clinical nutrition manager for Decatur Memorial Hospital. "People are more aware of pedophiles or kidnapping and don't let their kids outside as much."

With the trend of two working parents becoming more common, family activities, which are essential for a healthy lifestyle, have been decreasing over the years, Etchason said.

"Take time to play with your kids; get involved in things like swimming lessons, soccer, basketball or running," she said. "If a child is not involved in an organized sport, get out and play hide and seek, tag, jump rope; go to a park, try trails in different areas in parks or go on bike rides."

Although sedentary lives have overcome Americans, the solution to the increase in child obesity is twofold, with food taking on a new meaning in children's lives.

"It amazes me how much soda consumption has gone up, while milk consumption has gone down," said Laura Sechrest, director of food and nutrition services at St. Mary's Hospital. "Twenty years ago, a teen boy drank two times as much milk than soda; that has basically reversed."

Sugary drinks, such as soft drinks or sugar-packed juices, should be avoided at all costs, Arzon said. Fast food is another area that gets people into trouble with weight management.

"We recommend trying to pick meals that don't exceed 500 calories," Kruse said. "That seems like a lot, but if you can get a whole fast-food meal for under 500, you've done pretty good."

Fast food can be an acceptable option for a meal only if it is not overused and healthy choices are made, Sechrest said. Sit-down restaurants also can be a culprit of weight gain due to the immense portion sizes.

"Limit how much empty-calorie food you have around, and keep it in perspective," Sechrest said. "Learn how to savor a small slice and make it something special, instead of constantly having it around."

Getting children to eat a variety of healthy foods is usually easier said than done. It takes 15 attempts for a child older than 4 to try a new food, and 10 attempts when the child is younger than 4, said Etchason, pointing out it is best to introduce new foods to children early in life.

Kruse said the easiest way to get children to try new foods is for parents to set a good example.

"Making your children sit at the table until they finish their plate, those days are gone," she said. "During meals, all you can do is try to prepare a food in a way that is tasty and offer it to the child to taste. Making a big deal of it is not helpful."

Involvement from the whole family is important when making lifestyle changes such as nutrition and exercise, Sechrest said.

"Everyone understands the importance and how they're going to benefit from it, so it's not just on Mom to make sure everyone is eating the right way," she said. "If you sit in front of the TV all night, you can't expect your kids not to scroll through the computer the whole time, too. It's never too late for a family to sit down and assess changes as a family."

Editor's note: Child obesity is sweeping the country and is described by health professionals as the byproduct of increasing portion sizes and sedentary lifestyles. A three-day series looks at the ways families can make life changes to take control of personal health.

The series

Part 1: Huge portion sizes and inactivity are making kids obese, but just a few changes can help families take control of personal health.

Part 2: Programs are battling obesity by encouraging kids to be more active and live healthier lives.

Part 3: The federal government has joined the fight by making schools form wellness policies in their districts.