Rates of obesity in the United States have increased dramatically over the past 30 years. Approximately 35% of children and 66% of adults are currently considered overweight or obese. Although obesity is seen in all ethnicities and economic classes, ethnic minorities and those of lower socioeconomic status disproportionately have obesity and its related morbidities. For example, 76% of non-Hispanic blacks and Mexican Americans are classified as overweight or obese. Further, lower socioeconomic status has been strongly linked to higher rates of obesity after accounting for ethnicity. Not only are the rates of obesity high, the increase in prevalence continues to steadily climb. Although overweight and obesity have become public health crises in the United States, it has become clear that obesity is a global issue affecting both developed and developing countries.