Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveal the situation doesn't improve much as those children and teenagers become adults. Also last week, the CDC released numbers revealing that American adults are getting heavier and examining which states are most at risk.
The CDC said some 26 percent of the U.S. population was obese in 2007, up nearly 2 percent from 2005.
Despite a national goal to reduce obesity rates to 15 percent or lower by 2010, Deb Galuska, associate director for science in the CDC's division of nutrition, physical activity and obesity, recently told ABCNews.com that the numbers indicate, "it will be difficult for us as a country to achieve the 15 percent."
Fueled by supportive teachers and friends who noticed his weight loss, Miller said a school-based program was key to his success.
"It's a great place for the inspiration to happen right there inside the school because that's the place that we go to five days a week," he said.
To lose weight, the CDC recommends getting at least 30 minutes of exercise each day and replacing high fat foods, desserts and sugary drinks with items like fruits and vegetables and whole grains.