Jackson — Mississippi is America’s fattest state for the third year in a row, and adult obesity rates across the nation are climbing steadily despite initiatives to combat the epidemic, a new report says.
Nationally, adult obesity rates rose in 37 states in the past year, according to the report released Tuesday by Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
In 18 of those states, including Mississippi, it’s the third consecutive increase, which researchers say shows that some wellness policies being implemented on the state level aren’t working. They say a national strategy is needed.
The report recommends the federal government, industries and local organizations invest in community-based disease prevention programs and improve access to affordable nutritious foods by providing incentives for grocery stores and farmers’ markets to operate in poor communities.
“There’s a responsibility in all parts of society to really take on this issue,” said Jeff Levi, executive director of the nonprofit Trust for America’s Health. “Some states and communities have taken positive steps but overall we are not treating the obesity epidemic with the seriousness it deserves.”
The report was based on data gathered by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. The CDC sampled people in all states and calculated their body mass index from their height and weight. A 5-foot, 9-inch adult who weighs 203 pounds would have a BMI of 30, which is considered the threshold for obesity.
The report said Mississippi’s adult obesity rate is 31.7 percent — the nation’s highest. It was followed by West Virginia with 30.6 percent; Alabama with 30.1 percent; Louisiana with 29.5 percent and South Carolina with 29.2 percent.
Colorado was the leanest state with a rate of 18.4 percent, followed by Hawaii with 20.7 percent and Connecticut with 20.8 percent.
There was no decrease in obesity in any state. Of the 10 states with the highest rates, nine were in the South. Seven of the top 10 have the nation’s highest unemployment rates. That’s not unusual as obesity is more prevalent among the poor who often buy cheaper but calorie-dense processed foods.
Pete Smith, spokesman for Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, said the state has taken steps to encourage residents to live a healthier lifestyle, including requiring students to exercise 30 minutes each day and promoting a statewide walking campaign.
Smith said the governor knows the strain obesity places on the economy “in terms of rising healthcare costs and loss of productivity in the work place.”
The report said Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee are among the states that tax junk food. And California recently became the first state in the nation to bar artery-clogging trans fats from restaurant foods.
But Levi said there’s a lag time between the implementation of policies and a change in the statistics. Another problem is enforcement. For instance, 50 states have legislation related to physical education in schools, but only 13 have enforcement language.
“There needs to be a sense of urgency and outright alarm,” said James Marks, senior vice president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. “This is the fifth ’F As In Fat’ report and each year we see more evidence that our nation’s obesity epidemic continues to gain speed and destructive force.”
Local News
Obesity rates up nationwide; Miss. again tops list
- Local News
-
-
SAFETY DAY
Picayune Police officers made a visit to the First Baptist Church of Picayune’s preschool class for their Community Helpers Safety Day. During the event the kids got to meet police officers and trigger lights and sirens in patrol vehicles.
- Escapee caught in county Pearl River County Sheriff’s deputies have captured the inmate who escaped from Mississippi Department of Corrections custody on Friday after attending his father’s wake in Picayune.
- Council discusses which funds to spend first On the same day as the ground breaking for the addition to the historic City Hall, city council members discussed which funds to spend first in its construction.
-
Poplarville aldermen honor Holliday, get audit report briefing
The city board of aldermen honored former District Three Supervisor Hudson Holliday at its Tuesday night meeting.
Mayor Billy Spiers presented Holliday with a framed resolution of appreciation for his dedication and service to the city while serving as county supervisor.
-
MRI INSTALLED
This $1.2 million Magnetic Resonance Imaging equipment was installed at the new location of Highland Community Hospital.
-
Hall suspected of robbery after escaping
A man who escaped from jail after attending his father’s wake is suspected of having carried out an armed robbery on the Texas-Arkansas state line. Johnny Hall escaped from Mississippi Department of Corrections custody on Friday while attending his father’s wake in Picayune.
-
City Hall expansion groundbreaking held
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Tuesday at the construction site for the expansion of the historic Picayune City Hall. “You can see our future when you look down Goodyear Boulevard. You see Chimney Square, our high school, The Link at First Baptist Church, Jack Read Park and then our historic City Hall.
-
PRC athletic director says he’ll recommend random drug testing
Pearl River Central athletic director Andy Kivlan told the school board at its Monday night meeting that he will most likely recommend that students participating in extracurricular activities, including band and ROTC, be subject to random drug screening.
-
Supervisors adopt resolution encouraging more economic development in South Miss.
Following a short presentation by State Sen. Tony Smith (R-Picayune), the board of supervisors adopted on Monday a resolution encouraging state officials and agencies to exercise “fairness and parity” regarding location of new industries in Mississippi.
-
MDEQ wants comprehensive waste disposal plan from county
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has told Pearl River County it wants a comprehensive waste disposal plan for the county. Supervisors indicated at their Monday meeting that they are not happy with the request.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
