It is well-known that obesity is an enormous problem in the United States. More than one-third of U.S. adults are considered obese. Eighteen percent of children ages 6-11 and 18% of adolescents ages 12-19 are obese.

Obesity has been shown to contribute to the development of many diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, high cholesterol and osteoarthritis.   But research also shows that obesity can increase a...