In the 1960s, the Detroit Lions' defensive lineman Roger Brown was the NFL's first regular player to weigh 300 pounds. In 2014, out of 256 players in the league, 57 weighed in at 300 pounds or more.

That trend mirrors the ever-increasing weight of all Americans. This year, for the first time according to a new study published in “JAMA,” there are more obese people in the United States than there are those who are simply overweight!

The repercussions are huge for obese individuals, who have to battle heart disease, cancer, diabetes, dementia, impotence, and self-esteem issues.

And as a society, we face the burgeoning health costs due to these chronic conditions. Clearly, it's time to take to stake steps to reverse this trend.

What steps can we take?

1. Ban high-fructose corn syrup in our food supply, just as the Food and Drug Administration did for trans fats. (You can ban it from your diet now.)

2. Develop alternatives to hormone-disrupting chemicals used in everything from shampoos to receipts and plastics. (You should wash your hands after touching receipts.)

3. Limit the use of antibiotics in the food supply. They alter gut bacteria, tip the scales in favor of weight gain, and increase the likelihood of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

4. Set up programs to help obese adults get the support they need to start and stick with a lifestyle do-over. (See Dr. Mike's book "This Is Your Do-Over")

5. And if you are overweight, start a walking routine that aims for 10,000 steps a day, and make sure your children enjoy at least two hours of active playtime daily.