A new Wall Street Journal Online/Harris Interactive Health-Care Poll finds that a growing number of U.S. adults see childhood obesity as a problem in the U.S., with 84% calling it a “major problem,” up from 77% from 2005.

However, among those who are a parent or guardian of a child aged 12 and under, only 74% say it is a major problem (compared to 70% in 2005).

These are some of the results of a Harris Interactive online survey of 2,078 U.S.

adults, ages 18 years and over, of whom 432 are parents or guardians of children age 12 and under, conducted between June 26 and 28, 2006 for The Wall Street Journal Online’s Health Industry Edition.

The poll found that 81% of adults agree that children are becoming obese because parents aren’t paying enough attention to their eating habits, not because of the food industry’s marketing and advertising. Another 83% agree that public schools should do more to limit students’ access to unhealthy foods, such as snack foods, sugary soft drinks and fast food. About 9 in 10 (89%) say that obesity among children will lead to higher healthcare costs for all Americans.

U.S. adults are divided on the government’s role in addressing the issue. Just over half (55%) say the government should take companies to court if they mislead children and their parents about the nutritional value of foods, while 39% disagree. Fifty-three percent say the government should play a more active role in regulating the food industry’s marketing toward children, compared with 42% who disagree. Likewise, only a third (34%) of adults agree that local governments should use zoning regulations to limit fast-food restaurants near schools, compared with 61% who disagree.

The poll also shows a strong majority of adults believe more physical activity is part of the solution: Vast majorities say public schools should do more to promote regular exercise (93%) and parents should lead by example by being physically active themselves and encouraging their children to be physically active (94%).

Harris Interactive conducted this online survey within the United States between June 26 and 28, 2006 among 2,078 adults, ages 18 years and over, of whom 432 are parents or guardians of children age 12 and under. Figures for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, income and region were weighted where necessary to align with population proportions.

Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents’ propensity to be online.

The Wall Street Journal Online/Harris Interactive Health-Care Poll is an exclusive poll that is published in the Health Industry Edition of The Wall Street Journal Online.

Harris Interactive is known for The Harris Poll, one of the longest running, independent opinion polls.