But no one can ignore the damage being wrought by all this bad eating. More than one out of three adults in the United States -- 37.5 percent -- are obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some of the leading causes of death -- heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes -- are directly linked to obesity. And childhood obesity has tripled in the last 30 years. With more than a third of kids between 6 and 19 considered obese, the CDC reports, they are at substantially more risk for developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, bone and joint conditions, and cancer.

Which statement best describes the author's argument in this part of the article?

a
Children should be required to maintain a healthy diet.
b
Eating habits have changed significantly in recent years.
c
Eating a poor diet can have harmful effects on people's health.
d
Eating healthier foods is not as easy as some might think.