Mississippi is the fattest state in the US, with over two-thirds of the population being overweight or obese. BMI is used to measure this, but some argue it’s not accurate. The poorest county in the state, Jefferson County, has the highest concentration of overweight and obese people, with many seeing being heavy as normal. The history of slavery and the culture of eating calorie-laden foods like fried chicken and biscuits may contribute to the state’s obesity. Government programs for park construction and nutritional interventions have been launched in Mississippi since the study.
According to a major study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Mississippi is the fattest state in the United States. The study used the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System database of diet and exercise information on 300,000 American adults from the years 2003 to 2005. The study found that more than two-thirds of the Mississippi population is overweight or obese. Being overweight is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) between approximately 25 and 29.9, while a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese. A normal BMI is often considered to be between 18.5 and 24.9 with anything below 18 considered underweight.
Because BMI is calculated using only measurements of a person’s height and weight, some argue that it is not an accurate indicator of fitness. No consideration is given for muscle mass that weighs more than fat. Athletes, for example, have more lean muscle than fat, but may still have a higher BMI than someone who is actually somewhat overweight. Others say the fattest state study is controversial as research has shown a definite correlation between obesity and poverty levels. Poor people don’t have the same access to healthier foods and gym memberships as richer people.
The fattest county in the fattest state is definitely one of the poorest areas in the United States. Jefferson County, in Fayette, Mississippi in the Delta region has the highest concentration of overweight and obese people in the fattest state. Jefferson County, population 7,000, has very low average incomes and high unemployment rates. The small Mississippi town has a nutrition center and weight loss classes, but many who live there see being heavy as normal and not unhealthy.
Many people think that the history of slavery plays a part in Jefferson’s distinction as the fattest county in America’s fattest state. Slaves toiled all day in the Mississippi Delta in the 1850s and existed on low-quality, but rich, filling foods like calorie-laden gumbos and cornbread. The same types of satisfying food remain a part of the culture of the fattest state today. Biscuits, gravy, and many fried foods are eaten regularly in the Mississippi Delta region, the fattest state. Fried foods like chicken fried steak, shrimp, catfish, pecans, sweet potatoes, and even dill pickles are common fare here.
Although the origin of Mississippi mud pie is disputed, the rich, thickly chocolate brownie is at least named for the thick, dark mud banks along the Mississippi River. The cake is widely sold in the fattest state. Since the study labeled Mississippi the fattest state in America, government programs for park construction and nutritional interventions have been launched in Mississippi.
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