Guess what? We’re #1 again. Yup. And it’s not a good thing. Mississippi is the fattest state in the nation according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. I know, I know — you’re shocked. You want to know how bad it is?
Over one out of three Mississippians are now obese (34.9%). Not just overweight. OBESE. And before you start making Mississippi jokes, this is a nationwide epidemic. No state is under 20%.
And you know what’s worse? It’s getting worse. Look at these shocking changes from 1985 until today. Today’s thinnest state (Colorado) would have been the fattest back then. We’re like fat frogs slowly boiling in a pot. And the problem (like our waistlines) is getting slowly bigger. We’re quietly eating and sitting our way into the grave.
And we wonder why the cost of healthcare is going through the roof.
The cost of treating the effects of obesity alone is alarming. In 2008 alone, Mississippi spent $900 million to treat obesity. That’s nearly a billion dollars that could go to education, infrastructure or another whole host of needs. But instead, we spend it on treating diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, cancer and other diseases brought on by excess fat.
While I doubt Ben Franklin was much of a runner, his saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” applies here. We have to take control of our weight. We have to stop this obesity epidemic.
But here’s the rub: Only one person can do that. Only one person can make you take control of your own health. Not the government. Not your spouse. Not your best friend. Not your preacher, priest or rabbi. Not your personal trainer. Not your doctor. Not Mayor Bloomberg. No, that one person is you.
It’s not easy. Trust me, change never is. But there is a huge payoff in the end. Think of it as a pot of good health at the end of the hard work rainbow.
That’s why I am writing this blog. I’ve dropped 50 pounds this year after gaining 50 the previous year. I decided I didn’t like the direction my life was going and took control of my weight. I changed how I eat. I started exercising again. And as a result, my life has become healthier and happier because of it.
The first step in finding a solution is admitting you have a problem. We have a problem. I’m committed to not being a part of it any more. I celebrated Mississippi being #1 on the obesity index again by running 5.30 miles this morning. I’m never gaining back the weight again.
Good luck if you decide to no longer be a statistic. You don’t have to become a marathon runner to change your life. You just have to do something. And if you do, I’ll be here to cheer you along the way.
No state is below 20% – that is the real fact that is the shocker. Yes, Mississippi may be the “fattest” but it is a nation-wide epidemic. We can thank ourselves as individuals but our government has to bear some of the burden because there is no regulation on fast food, they play God with our food and then wonder why we are so unhealthy!! It’s sad. I also have a personal committment to not be one of the statistics. No hugh weight loss yet but it’s coming – I’m running, REALLY running now. No more “trying” to run using the C25K program – I’m setting a distance goal and running until my lungs burn, my legs feel it, etc. I can tell a difference already. Keep up the good work you do Marshall – you inspire many!!!
Amen Brother!
We do not need government regulation of fast food. We need to be teaching children about proper nutrition and exercise. This needs to be part of the educational process. When I was in school almost 30 years ago, health class was a waste and was very boring. We were not taught about nutrition and wellness. Gym classes should be used for wellness, not endless days of dodgeball and floor hockey. How about teaching kids how to play golf, or run, or play tennis. At 47 years of age I cannot play tackle football, but I can play golf and tennis. We alone are responsible for what we put in our mouths, but the education system can help us with some proper education and training. Thanks for the inspiration Marshall. Keep up the good work and my condolences on Banjo.
Pingback: Fit-to-Fat-to-Fit Blog: The Reaction | Marshall Ramsey
Even more serious is the fact that 85% of overweight people already have insulin resistance which leads to type 2 diabetes if major lifestyle changes are adopted. So sad. The CDC estimates that 42% of Americans will have type 2 diabetes by the year 2030, a totally preventable disease.
Karen, I beg to differ. Type 2 Diabetes is NOT “100% preventable.” my mother was 5.6, weighed 120 (down to 100 the last two years of her life), and developed Type 2 Diabetes. She was the only member of her family that had/has it. Her diet was very restricted prior to having diabetes due to GI problems, and we had to beg her to eat to maintain a healthy weight. It didn’t work. She gave up, and would only drink Glucerna or Ensure. She was so worried about about her glucose being too high (although she was on insulin after 6 years of oral meds) that she wound up in the ER twice, once with a blood glucose of 21, and the second time at 19.
Marshall,
I agree and I appreciate you sharing this.
I would like to add that systemic factors (like food deserts) hinders healthy choices. For example, walking/biking/running 30 minutes a day is easy for me to do. But in my home community of Greenwood, there are no sidewalks or bike trails in many of the neighborhoods to encourage this. Many of the streets are narrow and walking along them are hazardous with the addition of traffic.
So yes, exercising is very important. But I would also say that equitable opportunities for EVERYONE to exercise is even better.
And I agree with you about systemic factors hindering weight loss. It’s all about making good choices and I understand that if they choices aren’t there, it’s much tougher to lose weight. But they should not be used as an excuse. There are things people can do even if they are in a food desert and if they don’t have good sidewalks. Drink water instead of sodas for example. Cut your portions. Push away from deserts.
I applaud everyone who is working to bring equitable exercise opportunities to everyone. But until that day happens, we have to find ways in our own lives to cut back.