Childhood obesity in the United States has nearly tripled over the past 30 years. And a large group of employers aren't gonna take it anymore.

The National Business Group on Health, a nonprofit association of large employers, is urging employers to take the lead against the growing problem of overweight and obese children. "Child obesity is impacting employers today and will into the future as these children become the workforce of tomorrow," says Helen Darling, president and CEO of the National Business Group on Health, whose members include 329 large U.S. employers.

The United States currently has the highest percent of overweight youth in its history, resulting in increased health risks, higher health care costs and even decreased parental productivity at work. Statistics show parents have an enormous impact on the childhood obesity epidemic:  A child under the age of 5 is at least 3 times more likely to become obese is one parent is obese, and the chances skyrocket if both parents are obese.