About 1 in 5 children in the United States have obesity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Obesity during childhood can put people at risk for conditions such as asthma, sleep apnea, bone and joint problems, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and liver disease.

Childhood obesity is a complex disease with many contributing factors, including genetics, eating patterns, physical activity levels and sleep routines. Although there is no one solution, there are ways parents and caregivers can help children set up lifelong healthy habits. Here are four suggestions from the CDC.

Model a healthy eating pattern.

Adopt healthy eating patterns as a family. Eat a variety of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, lean protein foods and low-fat and fat-free dairy products.

Offer your children a variety of fruits and vegetables throughout the day. Frozen and canned fruits and vegetables are often less expensive than fresh and are still good for you. Look for low-sodium or no-salt-added vegetables. Choose fruits packed in 100% fruit juice. Replace sugary drinks with water, 100% juice or plain low-fat milk.

For help with meeting guidelines for a healthy diet, use the MyPlate Plan widget to find customized food plans based on age, sex, height, weight and physical activity level.

Move more as a family.

Children ages 3 to 5 years should be physically active throughout the day. Children ages 6 to 17 years need at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.

Help your children move more and meet physical activity recommendations by involving the family. Walking the family pet before and after school, riding bikes and having races in the yard all count toward physical activity. Active chores such as washing the car, vacuuming a room or raking leaves also count.

Set consistent sleep routines.

Good sleep helps prevent Type 2 diabetes, obesity, injuries and problems with attention and behavior. Children who don't get enough sleep are at risk for unhealthy weight gain. Researchers are still trying to learn how sleep is linked to weight gain. It is possible that lack of sleep can cause a child to eat more or to be less physically active because of lack of energy.

Preschoolers need 10 to 13 hours of sleep per day, including naps. Children ages 6 to 12 need nine to 12 hours of uninterrupted sleep a night, and youth ages 13 to 17 need eight to 10 hours. Staying with a consistent sleep schedule, including on weekends, can help children sleep better.

Replace screen time with family time.

During childhood, too much screen time can lead to poor sleep, weight gain, lower grades in school and poor mental health. Reducing screen time can free up time for family activities and can remove cues to eat unhealthy food.

Turning off screens an hour before bed and removing screens from children's bedrooms can help reduce screen time and improve sleep. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends creating a family media plan with examples of ways to reduce screen time.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention