By LYDIA EARHART

Staff Writer

For Dr. Mary Murimi, an assistant professor of human ecology, the term obesity is more of a study than a word.

Last week, Murimi attended a program about child obesity in Little Rock, Ark., where the American Dietetics Association gave information on obesity and how to treat it.

"Most people don't know how closely obesity and diabetes are related," Murimi said. "This program will help me in my classes by giving [the students] cutting-edge information. It will also help me in my research on childhood obesity."

Murimi said children need a different kind of treatment to help end their obesity. Her research has shown that children have worried about what food they are eating as early as third grade.

"There is also an increase in eating disorders and obesity in adolescents who are ages 12-18," Murimi said.

Murimi also said children and adolescents should not be called obese because if the child is anxious about their weight it will be harder for them to overcome.

"If you say the child is at high risk there is more of a chance they will grow out of it," Murimi said.

Murimi said she had to pass a basic knowledge pretest before attending the program to work on receiving a certificate of training in childhood and adolescent weight management.

Murimi also said to complete the program for the certificate she must pass the posttest. She has even done research in children's school by observing the food they eat and the activities they participate in at recess.

Dr. Janet Pope, director and an associate professor of human ecology, said she is happy to have Murimi as a part of the department.

"We have a lot of faculty in the human ecology department who are dedicated to their job," Pope said.

Mandy Milligan, a sophomore nutrition and dietetics major, said she is happy Murimi is a dedicated professor.

"I like knowing that teachers are willing to go beyond teaching," Milligan said. "When teachers are learning, you know that is valuable information."

Milligan said she is interested in taking one of Murimi's classes.

Milligan said, "She could introduce me to some information that could help me in the future in my major."