As obesity rates continue to go up, new information suggests overweight children may not live as long as their parents.

Estimates suggest that nearly 12-million children between two and nine years old are obese. 23-million kids qualify as overweight.

Researchers say those numbers have more than doubled over the last 30 years.

One reason for the increase is that many of those kids live in unhealthy environments. Doctors say the best way to make sure your child does not become obese or overweight is by setting a good example.

“You have to remember that your children are going to watch what you're doing,” said Bob Gunther, a pediatrician at Augusta Pediatrics. “It's not just changing the child's lifestyle, but it's trying to create a lifestyle within your family, within your home. And so, if you can do that, you can make a really big difference.”

Besides eating healthy, doctors say go on walks with your family everyday to control weight.

Follow Dave Byknish on Twitter.

© Copyright 2013 WHSV / Gray Television Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.