NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee ranks fourth in the country when it comes to childhood obesity, which was the focus of a U.S. Senate field hearing Thursday morning in Nashville. The hearing was held at Meharry Medical College.

Sen. Lamar Alexander was present to head the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions' Subcommittee on Children and Families hearing on "Childhood Obesity: The Declining Health of America's Next Generation; National Problem, Southern Crisis."

Former "The Biggest Loser" Season 4 contestant and Cedar Hill, Tenn., resident David Griffin was also present.

A panel consisting of Griffin; Dr. Susanne Tropez-Sims, associate dean of clinical affiliations and professor of pediatrics at Meharry; nurse Susan R. Cooper, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health; and Dr. Shari Barkin, director of pediatric obesity research, diabetes research training center professor of pediatrics, Monroe Carell, Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt spoke about the declining health of the nation's children and what to do to combat it.

Those who took part in the forum said it is important that parents begin doing something early on to help their kids get active and healthy and slim down, as 42 percent of Tennessee children ages 7 to 16 are overweight.