To fight obesity, legislation would ban candy and sugary beverages, and many schools would be required to offer more nutritious fare.

Schools across the country are pioneering big changes in the classroom -- to accomodate the 17 percent of U.S. children who are overweight or obese, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In this initiative, the American Academy of Pediatrics will educate its members about obesity to make sure pediatricians regularly measure a child's body mass index and identify a weight problem early. If a child is getting heavy, the physician can write an official prescription for healthy, active living.

"It wasn't that long ago that I was juggling a full-time job with the round-the-clock role of being a mom. And there were plenty of times when after a long day at work, when the fridge was empty and everyone was hungry, that I just ordered that pizza, because it was easier.

Research grants to help diminish obesity epidemic

An epidemic of obesity is compromising the lives of millions of American children, with burgeoning problems that reveal how much more vulnerable young bodies are to the toxic effects of fat. In ways only beginning to be understood, being overweight at a young age appears to be far more destructive to well-being than adding excess pounds later in life.

Editor's note: all week, CNN Newsroom, Rick's List and Eatocracy are teaming up to take a look the effects our dining choices have on our minds, bodies and wallets. Tune into CNN Newsroom daily from 9 a.m. -- 5 p.m. ET for on-air coverage and join in the discussion here on Eatocracy.