ARDMORE, Okla. ― As childhood obesity numbers continue to rise across the country, Oklahoma Legislators are addressing the problem at home. Daniel Armbruster has more.

The current generation of kids is the first expected to have a shorter lifespan than their parents. It’s being blamed on poor dieting.

Oklahoma State Representative Richard Morrissette announced his support Tuesday morning for a statewide health initiative to combat the childhood obesity epidemic. Morrissette is calling it the “Right Track Nutrition Legislation.”

If the bill passes, all children under 16 would have an annual body mass index screening. The childhood obesity problem is so bad that today's children are not expected to live as long as their parents.

Amy Mauldin, a dietitian with the Carter County Health Department, says kids are not getting enough exercise, and many parents need to step up and encourage their kids to eat better.

"If they can do something about it now and really instill good healthful habits now with the healthy eating, health activities and just make it more of a lifestyle, it’s going to prevent a lot of the things that come later like obesity and diabetes," Mauldin says.

Some are even calling childhood obesity a national security issue, because 70% of our young generation that want to go into the military someday will be turned away due to diet-related diseases.