Childhood obesity is a major problem in the U.S. The ramifications for children who are overweight can be vast.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that the number of obese adolescents increased more than 13 percent between 1980 and 2008.

To help combat childhood obesity, schools are stepping in to help promote balanced diets and regular exercise.

Namaste Charter school in Chicago has created a curriculum that includes a daily 60-minute gym class and morning yoga sessions.

The school has also made it a goal to not just teach nutrition, but practice it by serving salad and fresh fruit at lunch.

Recent renovations to the school building have helped make Namaste Charter a model program.

"We are happy to be even better equipped to serve these kids here in Chicago, and we're extremely excited about the recognition we've received throughout the country as a national model for healthier schools," says founding principal Allison Slade.

The school's efforts are evident when reviewing the students' Body Mass Index. Typically, BMI levels rise as children get older, but students at Namaste Charter have declined or stayed the same.

People who are at a healthy weight are less likely to develop some conditions that are associated with obesity, which can drive up health insurance costs.