The global obesity epidemic reached a peak of concern on June 18, 2013, when the American Medical Association (AMA) declared obesity a disease state involving multiple pathophysiological facets requiring a range of interventions for treatment and prevention (Fryhofer, 2013). Given the increased prevalence of obesity in all populations, negative health consequences, and health costs associated with obesity, nurses are working to develop evidence-based strategies for disease prevention in adult and pediatric patients. Nurses directly observe the effects of obesity when treating patients in emergency rooms, primary care offices, school clinics, and other settings. Disease prevention, promotion, and healthy lifestyles constitute the principles of nursing practice and are essential to the care and services that nurses provide to their patients, their families, and their communities. Nurses are highly trusted and provide compassionate care to their patients and families as they work to promote new policies and advocate in the war against obesity (Jones, 2010). They mobilize in their communities to educate and offer services that contribute to the fight against obesity. The global obesity epidemic threatened the health of nearly one-third (35.7%) of American adults and nearly 17% of American youth in 2009-2010; Interestingly, this statistic does not differ by gender (Ogden, 2012). In the United States, currently 13 states have adult obesity rates above 30%, 41 states exceed 25%, and no states have obesity rates below 20% (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2013). Obesity has been linked to many chronic diseases, such as increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, hypertension, etc.... .......gov article: http://www.letsmove.gov/learn-facts/epidemic-childhood-obesity Loke, K. (2002). Consequences of childhood and adolescent obesity. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 11(3), S702-S704. Retrieved January 18, 2013 from http://apjcn.nhri.org.tw/server/APJCN/11/s7/S702.pdf Mason, D. L. (2012). Nursing and Health Care Policy and Policy (6 ed.). (M. Iannuzzi, ed.) St. Louis: Elsevier Saunders. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (July 13, 2012). What are the health risks of overweight and obesity. Retrieved January 14, 2014 from NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/obe/risks.html Tao, H. (2005, March 28 ). Legislative: Obesity: From a health problem to a political and political problem. (G. Glazer, ed.) The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 10(2). doi:10.3912/OJIN.Vol10No02LegCol01