As many as 40 percent of fourth grade children are now clinically defined as either overweight or obese. This is leading to an explosion of problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, Type II diabetes and other conditions that were once thought to be mainly adult health concerns. Dr. Jonathan MacClements discusses childhood obesity, including its treatment and prevention.

How much of a problem is childhood obesity? (first question)

Why is childhood obesity considered a health problem? (skip to 0:39)

How do I know if my child is considered obese? (skip to 1:00)

Can a child actually develop heart disease, Type II diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnea as a result of being overweight? (skip to 1:45)

Can being overweight affect when a child reaches puberty? (skip to 2:10)

What is the single most important thing to be done to reduce the likelihood of my child becoming obese? (skip to 2:32)

How can I involve my child in overcoming a weight problem without undermining self-confidence? (skip to 3:18)

Doctors today have an array of safe and effective medications for the treatment of heart disease. Each medication has a specific purpose and care must be taken when using them in combination. Dr. Dudley Goulden discusses heart medications in this post to healthconnection.tv from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler.

What are the differences between beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors and statins in the treatment of heart disease? (first question)

How successful are these drugs in treating heart disease? (skip to 0:55)

Are there side effects to be concerned about in connection with these heart medications? (skip to 01:26)

Is there any one medication that has proved better than others in treating heart disease? (skip to 02:05)

If I have high blood pressure, is it a given that I should be taking a diuretic? (skip to 02:42)

Are heart disease medications like statins, aspirin and beta blockers underutilized in treating heart disease in women? (skip to 03:20)

With respect to adults over age 50, what percentage of them suffer with high blood pressure? (skip to 04:12)

What is your opinion concerning a daily aspirin regimen with respect to preventing or treating heart disease? (skip to 04:46)

Are there potential problems with the long-term use of heart disease medications that could outweigh the benefits? (skip to 05:36)

Are there any promising new heart disease medications on the horizon? (skip to 06:23)