While the obesity epidemic has been well documented, less is known about the long-term risks when an obese child becomes an overweight adult.
The research, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, suggests unhealthy childhood weights often lead to adult obesity.
Current data from the centers for disease control finds 38% of Americans over the age of 20 are obese.
But researchers are projecting that number to jump significantly.
They find that of today's children 57% will be obese by the time they are 35 if they, or their parents, don't adjust their current habits.
Susan Akers, RD, Pediatric Dietician, MetroHealth