America's children are getting fatter and need help from parents, schools, the government, advertisers and the food industry to get back in shape, a panel of experts said on Thursday. The report on childhood obesity from the Institute of Medicine paints a picture of children awash in a society that makes it difficult to exercise and eat right, from suburbs with no sidewalks to schools that sell sugary snacks in vending machines. "At present, approximately nine million children over 6 years of age are considered obese," the report reads. It does not call for sweeping legislation but proposes moves such as clearer labeling requirements for junk foods and getting schools involved in monitoring students' weight and health. The institute, an independent group that advises the federal government on health matters such as vitamin requirements and medical insurance, appointed a committee of pediatricians, educators, industry experts and lawyers to look at childhood obesity. The report says nutritional standards should be set for all foods and beverages served on school grounds, including those from vending machines. --More 2205 Local Time 1905 GMT
