Obesity is at a national, all-time high, and many are calling it an epidemic. According to the New England Journal of Medicine in 2007, the cases of obesity have increased substantially in the last 30 years, and 66 percent of adults are overweight.

Proposed explanations for the obesity epidemic include societal changes that promote inactivity, food consumption, genetics within socioeconomic groups and social networks, according to the NEJM.

Conclusions from a 2007 study revealed infectious causes of obesity are conceivable.

The study went on to state, "The observation that people are embedded in social networks suggests that both bad and good behaviors might spread over a range of social ties.

"Having obese contacts might change a person's tolerance for being obese and might influence their decision of adopting specific behaviors." Similar behaviors are noticed among those who smoke and drink.

Obesity and K-State

K-State's Housing and Dining Services aims to lead students in the direction of better food habits "by providing education and providing choices that fit within a healthy lifestyle," said Mark Edwards, unit director.

In the past 15 years, Edwards said he has noticed a change in weight proportions among students.

"I see a greater number in the extremes," he said. "I see those that are super fit, and I see those that are obese. There are fewer people in the middle."

While it is the goal to provide healthier eating habits, limiting the menu choices is not the answer, Edwards said.

"We should not eliminate food from our menus that we know are full flavor and higher in fat," he said. "We will make alternative choices included in our menu, such as fat-free, skim, low and light choices."

He said the responsibility lies in the hands of the individual to choose what is appropriate for them.

"We have so many choices out there that if someone wants to consume food that is light, they could," Edwards said.

On the Web site for K-State Housing and Dining, students are able to check the items on the day's menu for nutritional facts, ask a dietician a question or read dietary guidelines.

Health officials stressed that losing weight will not happen overnight. Lisa Ross, registered dietitian for the Riley County Heath Department, said there is no quick fix to losing weight.

"The more you eat the more you gain," she said. "A person needs to balance their intake with counter activity."

"Dieting alone is not enough," Edwards added. "You must curtail your intake of calories."

Obesity Prevention

The responsibility of maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a collective effort; so many in the government have tried to regulate private behavior to promote healthier lives, according to a 2006 article in the NEJM.

Legislative initiatives were greatly considered in the past few years to improve nutrition and physical activity among children and adults. Much of the concern has been focused on local schools.

"The policies of school districts have been criticized for contributing to what researchers describe as a 'toxic environment' for children," the NEJM article stated.

Locally, the Manhattan Ogden School District 383 has tried to implement healthy snacks in school, Ross said. Parents are also encouraged to bring healthy snacks to school parties, and vending machines in high schools are being stocked with healthier food choices.

Maintaining adult weight-loss

A major challenge with treating obesity is keeping off the weight patients have already lost.

"Weight-loss programs involving diet, exercise and behavior modification produce initial weight losses of approximately 10 percent resulting in clinically important health benefits," according to the NEJM article.

However, the same journal showed that one-third of weight lost is regained during the next year. Those people were usually back at their initial weight within three to five years.

In Manhattan, a Staff Wellness program was approved for the Riley County Health Department's 45 employees. Many said they hope to gain useful information so they can implement a community-wide program someday, said Susanne Kufahl, assistant administrator for the RCHD.

"The intent of public health is to make the community healthier," Kufahl said.