Behavioral Risk Factors Associated with Adult Obesity and Influence of the Built Environment

Obesity is an epidemic that leads to severe chronic health complications, and is preventable by physical activity and consumption of 5 or more fruits and vegetables daily. Obesity in Mississippi increased by 11% from 1995 to 2005, and only 5 percent from 2006 through 2015. As of 2015, Mississippi obesity percent rate was 35.6 tying with Alabama and West Virginia at 35.6% of obese adults second most obese states in the United States, where first place is taken by Louisiana at 36.2% obese. The objective of this study was to compare behavioral risk factors associated with adult obesity among six selected states according to the most recent Gallup-Health survey were at the range of leanest to most obese states to explain the differences in obesity levels among six states of which Colorado and Hawaii were considered the leanest; Maine and Georgia as an average state; and Louisiana and Mississippi the most obese state. Data was collected from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). We hypothesized that multiple factors including daily physical activity, life style, healthy food consumption, education, and household income may have impact on individuals obesity status and wellbeing. The results confirmed that there was a significant difference among the six states with respect to prevalence of obesity (p < 0.05). Results also indicates a significant difference in weekly physical activity among the six selected states (p < 0.05). There was a direct association between an increase rates of physical activity and reduction of the prevalence of obesity. Fruit and vegetable consumption was also significant (p < 0.05). Results indicate that as people consume five or more servings per day significantly impacted obesity rates. In addition, there was a significant difference among the income groups (p < 0.05). As mean household income went up, prevalence of obesity went down. Results on children Grade 9-12 demonstrated a fair positive and significant correlation (r = 0.669, p < 0.05) between watching TV three hours or more and the prevalence of obesity. Obesity tends to worsen from children to adults if intervention is not provided. No significant difference between males and females was observed for all the six states. Differences between the six selected states were significant (p < 0.05) for education level. Overall, as the education level rose, the prevalence of obesity declined: therefore, suggesting that individuals with higher education may make a better choice in their life style and may have impact on the overall health outcome including obesity status.;Data for the Mississippi tri-county area of Hinds, Madison and Rankin by zip code for education attainment and median household income was extracted from the American Community Survey (ACS) 2014. Food outlets were requested in writing from The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce and the State Board of Health by zip code. There are more outlets of unhealthy food in the county of Hinds (588 out of 798= 73.7%), followed by Rankin 355 out of 487 = 71.4%), and Madison (245 out of 376= 65.2 %). As predicted, when unhealthy food outlets decrease, percent obesity decreases. The mean household income for the tri-county area is on average 53 plus thousand dollars. Median household income impacts the ability to consume fresh fruits and vegetables daily. Education by county is similar in Hinds and Madison as compared to Rankin. There are more people in all three counties that some college or associate degree, with less percentage that have a Bachelor of Science or higher degree. Education is crucial in influencing the prevalence of obesity in Mississippi as with all the States.;More must be done to influence people to become more active in their daily life. Physical activity must become a part of the work day in all professional and nonprofessional jobs. In conclusion, physical activity and consumption of healthy food have vital impact on the prevalence of obesity. An increase in physical activity and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables may help to battle obesity and eliminating the consequences of being obese.