America is getting fatter. It's a simple fact and everyone knows it. Americans already weigh an average of 50 pounds more than they did in the 1960s (Hurst). Twenty-four pounds may not seem like a lot, but it's not just adults who are affected: American children are the primary victims. The future of the United States is at stake, yet all everyone seems to do is blame each other. The latest accusations are aimed at the US school system, and it might be surprising to find that it is the students' parents (Beavers) who are pointing the finger. However, their blame was incorrectly attributed. The real culprits in inducing the weight gain that American children are experiencing are parents who have no discipline, are poor examples of nutritional eating, and have not disciplined their children properly. The main argument parents use to make their case is: “Students are in school all day. School canteens provide fatty meals, full of empty calories and of little nutritional value." However, when schools began to reduce fat in their kitchens nationwide, parents were faced with the dilemma of unhappy children and, unsurprisingly, their stance on the issue loosened. When students complained about a lack of food full of empty calories, their parents intervened. Students were given money to buy lunch from restaurants or even vending machines. This is a serious mistake made by parents that encourages unhealthy behavior. Parents were also seen pushing junk food through schoolyard fences during lunchtime (Long). Why do parents feel the need to secretly give food to their children as if they were committing a crime? Citizens of the…world of paper…the childhood obesity crisis must end, and it is up to the parents of our nation's children to take the first steps. Works Cited Beavers, Kim. “Obesity, School Lunch, and the Blame Game.” Augusta family magazine. MorrisPublishing Group, August 2012. Web. November 21, 2013.h-and-the-Blame-Game/>.Hurst, Marianne D. “USDA Obesity Prevention Conference Targets Research.” Education Week. November 3, 2004: 10. Opposing views in context. Network. 21 November 2013. “Long live”. Viewership February 16, 2013: 55+. Opposing points of view in context. Network. November 21, 2013. Wadas-Willingham, Val, MD “Forcing Children to Eat May Cause Obesity Later.” The RSS.Cable News Network graphic | CNN, April 22, 2013. Web. November 21. 2013..