One focus in the HPL is research. There is a long-standing history of research produced by the HPL at UNK and due to this history; the research conducted in the HPL is respected on a national level. Research interests of the faculty in the HPL have been the prevention of obesity in adults and children through physical activity and energy balance. In the past 10 years, research projects have included public school children, community members and UNK students and employees. In addition to faculty driven research, five undergraduate and four graduate student research projects have been conducted in the past three years which has provided students with the opportunity to conduct independent research and has provided opportunities for the student body at UNK to participate as research subjects. Future research projects will continue to focus on the prevention of obesity and health of students, employees and the greater Kearney community.