LANSING - It is a health problem that many in the United States are dealing with, and Michigan is no exception.

According to the Michigan Department of Community Health, 31% of adults in the state are struggling with obesity, a number that dietitians simply hope does not increase.

"Reversing it would be ideal, but it’s a long-term goal,” Marge Pestka, Nutritionist at Sparrow Hospital said.

But there has been improvement. Michigan is currently the 10th most obese state in the United States, down from 5th most in 2013. A frightening figure to consider, however, is that in 2011, 1 in 8 high school students were obese.

“The majority of patients that I see in the office have struggled with obesity since being a child,” Paul Entler, D.O., Medical Director of Sparrow's Weight Management Services said.

One of the first recommendations that Dr. Entler makes is a change in eating habits.

“First and foremost is our diet, in terms of focusing on less processed food, more protein, less carbohydrates,” Dr. Entler said.

Dr. Entler also said that there is no such thing as the "miracle pill," referencing the pills that claim to help people lose weight quickly. Rather, what he recommends is a total lifestyle change.

One of the first recommendations that Dr. Entler makes is a change in eating habits.

And with all of the supposed miracle diets out there, it is easy to be mislead.

"Mediterranean diets are a typical diet that I like to recommend, long term, because it's a way of life of getting healthy protein, healthy foods in your diet." Dr. Entler said. "The atkins diet, short-term, is ok, but again you need to be monitored on some of those diets."

But for those reluctant to seek help, Pestka’s message is simple.

“I’m not here for judgement. I’m just here to take whatever you give me and let’s see what we can work (towards)," Pestka said.