It's getting more and more expensive to be overweight in America.

Lee Kern, M.S.W., L.C.S.W., Clinical Director for Structure House

Ol' catfish in the lake we called him Big Jim
When I was a kid my only wish was to get my line in him
Skipped church one Sunday rowed out and throw'd in my line
Jim took that hook, pole and me right over the side
Went driftin' down past old tires and rusty cans of beer
The angel of the lake whispered in my ear
"Before you choose your wish son you better think first
With every wish there comes a curse"

Effective weight loss efforts are traditionally based upon two fundamentals: a healthy diet and regular physical activity.

For individuals with certain physical disabilities, though, adopting the latter of these two principles can appear to be difficult, if not downright impossible. But that doesn't have to be the case. With proper planning and, in some cases, with the assistance of another person or an adaptive device, even those whose mobility is severely impaired can (and, experts advise, should) participate in a regular fitness regimen.

As the news spread that researchers had discovered an "obesity gene," responses ranged from relief ("I knew this wasn't because I wasn't working hard enough") to remorse ("Great - now there's no chance I'll ever lose this weight").

When you're looking to kick off an exercise regimen, you have dozens of high-tech tools to choose from. Of all the sports equipment and weight machines you could buy, it turns out that one of the most likely to affect your activity level is one of the simplest and least expensive: a pedometer.

Pedometers are pocket-sized electronic devices you can clip to a belt or waistband to measure how many steps you take. More than just a fun little gadget costing between $10-40, pedometers have been proven to help people lose weight.

Picture this: eight days full of adventure and excitement, mouth-watering meals, massages, yoga, and a team of professionals working around the clock to meet your every need. Now picture doing all of this and losing weight.

If you're like many adults, you don't have two or three months to dedicate to a residential weight loss program, but you know you need to get away to jumpstart a newer, healthier lifestyle. Instead of overindulging and coming home more stressed than ever, take a vacation that soothes the mind, body, and soul - go on a weight loss retreat.

Scientists have discovered another connection between excess weight and poor mental health.

Following a five-year study during which they analyzed more than 2,000 adults ages 70 to 79, researchers with Wake Forest University and VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, have established a link between abdominal fat and depression. Also referred to as visceral fat, abdominal fat has previously been identified as a risk factor for developing diabetes and heart disease.