ABC News says that researchers have found a possible link between infection with a strain of cold virus and the development of childhood obesity.

Among a group of 124 children, antibodies to adenovirus 36 were detected in 22 percent of those who were obese, compared with only 7 percent of those whose weight was in the normal range, according to Dr. Charles Gabbert of the University of California San Diego and colleagues.

Scientists determined whether children had been exposed to the adenovirus by looking for antibodies in their blood. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that the prevalence of obesity among young people has increased over 300% in the past 30 years. The current estimate is that around 17% of young people are obese.

This rise in childhood obesity is largely blamed on the consumption of excess calories and lack of exercise.

This study doesn't prove a cause and effect, there may be other reasons why the antibodies are showing up in the obese children. Body weight regulation is complicated and differs from person to person.

Even today Dr. Mehmet Oz revealed on the Dr. Oz Show that there are chemicals that he calls "Obesogens" that he says "hardest hit our kids". These are chemicals that are hidden in our foods (typically in the form of pesticides), like fruits and vegetables. These chemicals typically hijack the regulatory system that controls your weight.