Final answer:
The obesity rates in children and teens have steadily increased, with the trend persistently rising since the 1980s, resulting in a significant public health concern.
Step-by-step explanation:
The obesity rates in children and teens have increased steadily in recent years. Since the 1980s, there has been a consistent rise in obesity among this group. By the 1990s, most states reported obesity rates of less than 10%, but by 2010, nearly 36% of adults were obese and an additional 33% were overweight.
Furthermore, childhood obesity has continued rising, with obesity rates in teenagers tripling since 1980. Obesity poses a serious risk to health, leading to conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease, and the highest levels of obesity in the U.S. are found in the southern states.