Kids who are overweight are more likely than normal weight kids to be taking prescription drugs. As a result, we are raising a generation of kids more likely to have diabetes and heart problems as well as a dependency on pharmaceuticals to maintain their health.

When Canadian researchers studied more than 2,000 children, they found that overweight and obese kids between the ages of 12 and 19 were more likely to be on prescription medicine.

“By investing in prevention in kids — promotion of healthy eating and active living — there’s an immediate payback in terms of health-care costs,” says researcher Paul Veugelers. “Children who are not overweight are less likely to develop diabetes, or 30 to 40 years later get a heart attack or end up with cancer. Forty years from now you see a real return in terms of health-care costs.”