According the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity has doubled worldwide since 1980 and has become the leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States [1]. In 2013, the American Medical Association declared obesity a disease [2]. This epidemic has increased healthcare costs and put the population at risk for developing diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, and some cancers [3, 4]. It’s a difficult healthcare and social dilemma, with an obese and overweight population experiencing social stigmata, prejudice, and work discrimination [1, 3].

Obesity is an increasing global public health problem. A body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 25 is defined as overweight, greater than or equal to 30 is obese [3]. The WHO reports 13 % of the population being obese with 11 % of men and 15 % of women [1]. In 2013, 42 million children under the age of 5 were overweight or obese. Developing countries have a rise in low- and middle-income populations with obesity, and the rate of increase in childhood obesity is 30 % higher than that of developed countries. Obesity kills more people than underweight worldwide [1].

The increase in the overweight and obese population has not only taken a toll on world health, but contributes to rising healthcare costs, especially in the United States. In 1998 the medical costs were as high as $78.5 billion. More than half of this was funded by Medicare and Medicaid. Research has shown that there has been over a $40 billion increase in medical spending through 2006, with projections that these numbers could more than triple in the future [4].