According to a study from the Trust for America’s Health, Mississippi has the highest rate of adult obesity in the country.The fourth annual TFAH report stated that this is the third consecutive year for Mississippi to place highest in adult obesity.
The study results show that while no states experienced decreases in adult obesity, Mississippi is the first state to reach an adult obesity rate of more than 30 percent.
This year’s study results show that 30.6 percent of Mississippi’s adults are obese.
According to the TFAH Web site, the report considered state obesity rates and looked at the policies and programs of federal and state governments that focus on combating obesity.
Assistant professor of food science, nutrition and health promotion Mike Hall said an obesity problem does not appear overnight.
“The percentage of obesity went up nationwide, but Mississippi was the first state to go over 30 percent,” he said. “Everybody’s been concerned with these numbers.”
“Mississippi continued to rise, but they’re not alone. As these studies go on, unfortunately, the rate [of obesity] continues to rise,” said Brent Fountain, assistant extension professor of food science, nutrition and health promotion.
Because of an increase in obesity, Mississippi will also have an increase in other health issues, such as cardiovascular problems and diabetes. “Problems with obesity and cardiovascular disease are linked together,” Hall said.
Fountain said Mississippi also has a high rate of adult diabetes.
“There’s a pattern: as obesity increases, so does diabetes and hypertension,” he said.
Fountain also said Mississippi holds the highest poverty rate in the United States.
Lower-income families often have limited access to healthcare and coordinated physical activities, he added.
Hall said people with lower income often buy cheaper processed foods, which usually have higher fat content, which can mean a link between poverty and obesity.
Associate professor in food science, nutrition and health promotion Diane Tidwell said lower income families have a harder time buying healthy foods because they are more expensive.
Processed foods also lack the minerals and vitamins found in fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods, she said.
“Calcium intake plays a role in fat metabolism; it’s a key to weight management,” Tidwell said.
Out of the top 15 states with the highest obesity rates, 10 are southern states.
Fountain said the southern diet plays a large part in the obesity rate.
Tidwell said “all-you-can-eat” buffets and fried foods found in the South add to the obesity problem.
While cooking and diet play a part in obesity, Hall said he thinks there is more to the obesity problem than the southern diet.
He said to some extent, people in Southern states are more dependent on public transportation than people in Northern states.
Northerners, especially in metropolitan areas like New York, walk to work while Southerners often have to drive farther distances.
“Typically, I think we have a lot less physical activity than the Northern states,” he said.
The TFAH Web site listed Mississippi as eighth in youth obesity with 17.8 percent of children ages 10-17 overweight.
According to a release from The Associated Press, the Mississippi Department of Education is restructuring school programs to help prevent youth obesity. Starting this year, schools are required to provide physical education classes for kindergarten to eighth grade students.
Currently public schools cannot sell full-calorie soft drinks.
Next year schools will be even more limited in their drink and snack options for students.
While the Mississippi Department of Education can enforce and structure elementary, middle and high school nutrition and physical activity programs, it cannot enforce programs like those at universities because the students are adults and have their rights to choose.
Hall said students have to manage their habits and not let stress dictate how they eat.
“My biggest recommendation is to be committed to a consistent diet,” he said.
Associate extension professor for food science, nutrition and health promotion Jane Clary said students often engage in “mindless eating.”
“Watch the fast food because college students are looking for a fast food,” she said. “When you eat fast food, look for their healthier choices.”
Hall said students should take advantage of the Sanderson Center and the nutrition resources offered by the Longest Student Health Center.
“They [students] have a tremendous opportunity to develop a healthy lifestyle,” he said.
Fountain said while the results of this study are important, there should be more of a focus on health at any size.
Instead of looking at the scale, people should focus on how they feel physically and emotionally, he said.
People should monitor food intake and portion sizes and take advantage of physical activities, he said.