Obese children are much more likely to develop a form of acid reflux known as GERD, which can cause heartburn and be a precursor to esophageal cancer. Read the full story

Childhood obesity rates range from less than 10 percent in the Pacific Northwest to more than 30 percent in the deep south, a new report shows. Read the full story

Obesity may actually delay puberty in young boys, according to a new study.   However, obese girls are significantly more likely to hit puberty before girls of a normal weight. Read the full story

Sleep apnea among obese adolescents is serious, and the latest research indicates that it gets worse as the teens age. This video reveals a possibly reason why. Read the full story

Childhood obesity could be attributed to genetics, according to a new study. Although researchers found that overeating and a lack of exercise were definite factors, they also believe in some cases, the tendency to overeat may be a result of a missing chromosome. Read the full story

Obese Children consider undergoing weight loss surgery ‘cheating,’ a new study shows. Watch this week’s WLS News to find out more. Read the full story

In the August 7, 2009 edition of WLS News, scientists are one step closer to a miracle weight-loss drug — find out when it could hit the market. Plus, will an obese friend lead your child to become obese, too? We’ll tell you what the latest research shows, and also take an in-depth look at some unsettling statistics between obesity and race. And, a popular and effective form of weight loss surgery could boost your chances of developing another common – and extremely painful – internal disorder. What it is – and how to avoid it – in this week’s episode.

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Obesity is driven by a number of factors, from eating behaviors to socio-economic status. Now, a new study shows a link between obese parents and children of the same gender, and has scientists scratching their heads about the role that DNA plays in determining a person’s weight. Read the full story