larger numbers of new products have been introduced (as cited by Gallo, 1990). Price competition has lead manufacturers to increase product size which not only draws attention to the product but increases there profits (Young & Nestle). Some examples are the larger portion of candy bars, the "supersizing" of menu items of fast food restaurants, the larger soft drink sizes and the bigger portion sizes in restaurants. The trends that contribute to the suspected overall decrease in daily energy expenditure include television viewing, video games, computers at work and in the home, unsafe neighborhoods, labor-savings devices, reduced physical education programming in schools and communities, increased automobile use and the decreased use of public transportation (Schmitz & Jeffery, 2000).
             "Prevalence is defined as the total number of people in a population that are known to be overweight or obese at a given point in time, usually expressed as a percent of the total population" (Allison & Saunders, 2000, Para 2). The increased prevalence of obesity can be examined in terms of sex, age, race, and place of residence. Men in the United States have a slightly higher combined prevalence of overweight and obesity. Women classified as overweight are more likely to be classified also as obese (Allison & Saunders). The prevalence of obesity in adults tends to rise steadily from age 20 to age 60, at which prevalence begins to decline (Allison & Saunders). The three largest racial and ethnic groups in the United States that have the highest rates of overweight and obesity are European-American, African-American and Mexican-American (Allison & Saunders). According to the Centers of Disease Control (2002), in 1991 only 4 of 45 participating states had obesity rates of 15-19% and none had rates greater than 20%. By the year 2000, all of the 50 states except Colorado had rates as high as 20% or greater. Obesity rates in Ohio are simi...