The rates of obesity, defined as BMI $30 kg/m2, have increased
dramatically in the United States in the past 20 y and especially
in the last 10 y (1). There is a strong positive association between
obesity and type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension
(2). These associations describe the metabolic syndrome,
a clustering of risk factors including abdominal obesity, insulin
resistance, and dyslipidemia. Metabolic syndrome is also often
characterized by chronic inflammation and hepatic steatosis