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In 2010, the number of states with an obesity prevalence of 30 percent or more has increased to 12 - compared to zero in 2000. Americans shelled out nearly $150 billion in 2008 for medical costs associated with obesity and the medical costs paid by third-party payors for people who are obese were $1,429 higher than those of normal weight. All this data suggests that the United States is battling a growing epidemic of obesity in children and adults.

So how do you curb this growing weight problem?

A team of University of Colorado School of Medicine obesity researchers concludes that "what the nation needs is a new battle plan - one that replaces the emphasis on widespread food restriction and weight loss with an emphasis on helping people achieve 'energy balance' at a healthy body weight."

The researchers are studying to find out what exactly causes obesity. Is it a result of excessive food intake or insufficient physical activity? Previous studies have shown that higher levels of physical activity are associated with low weight gain whereas comparatively low levels of activity are linked to high weight gain over time.

Executive Director of Anschutz Health and Wellness Center James O. Hill says reducing obesity is a two way street.

"A healthy body weight is best maintained with a higher level of physical activity than is typical today and with an energy intake that matches," Hill said. "We are not going to reduce obesity by focusing only on reducing food intake. Without increasing physical activity in the population we are simply promoting unsustainable levels of food restriction. This strategy hasn't worked so far and it is not likely to work in the future."

Hill said in order for the U.S. to combat its obesity challenges, the focus has to be changed.

"What we are really talking about is changing the message from 'Eat Less, Move More" to 'Move More, Eat Smarter'," Hill said.

According to the researchers, reducing calorie intake by 100 calories a day would prevent weight gain in 90 percent of the adult population and is achievable through small increases in physical activity and small changes in food intake. People who have a low level of physical activity are more likely to see an increase in body fat because "constant food restriction is difficult to maintain long-term and when it cannot be maintained, the result is the calories consumed are greater than the calories burnt."

Researchers also noted that Americans are burning less energy compared to a century ago because "our lives now require much less physical activity just to get through the day."

"Addressing obesity requires attention to both food intake and physical activity, said co-author John Peters, PhD., assistant director of the Anschutz Health and Wellness Center. "Strategies that focus on either alone will not likely work."

In addition, the researchers conclude that food restriction alone is not effective in reducing obesity, explaining that although caloric restriction produces weight loss, this process triggers hunger and the body's natural defense to preserve existing body weight, which leads to a lower resting metabolic rate and notable changes in how the body burns calories. As a result, energy requirements after weight loss can be reduced from 170 to 250 calories for a 10 percent weight loss and from 325 to 480 calories for a 20 percent weight loss. These findings provide insight concerning weight loss plateau and the common occurrence of regaining weight after completing a weight loss regimen.

According to the CDC, in 2009-2010,more than 35 percent  of U.S. adults were obese. Obesity can cause coronary heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, cancer high blood pressure, stroke and other illnesses.

The study was published in the July 3 issue of the journal Circulation.