More than 1,000 exercise, nutrition, healthy baby and other anti-obesity programs are expected to participate in the new clearinghouse, called Shaping American's Youth.

The goal is to set up a registry of programs and source of information for parents, teachers, doctors, foundations, government agencies and others interested in the latest research and strategies.

"We are seeing Generation Y grow into Generation XL, and this weight gain has long-term health consequences," the surgeon general, Dr. Richard H. Carmona, told reporters after addressing a convention of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Carmona told the convention that the number of overweight children has risen from just more than 4 percent in the 1960s to 15 percent today.

"That's over 9 million children. And the problem doesn't go away when children grow up. Nearly three out of every four overweight teenagers will become overweight adults," he said.

Obesity contributes to other medical problems, including diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and arthritis.