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Childhood Obesity

Childhood Obesity: A Growing Problem in Mississippi

The state of Mississippi has a problem, and that problem is childhood obesity. “In 2001, the states with the top five percentages for obesity were Mississippi, West Virginia, Michigan, Kentucky and Indiana (Obesity Action Coalition, 2007).” The Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research(2006) states that in the last two decades, the rate of overweight children ages 6 to 11 has doubled, and in teenagers has tripled. This is a growing problem that needs to be addressed. In the last few years childhood obesity has reaches epidemic proportions About fifteen percent of children in the United States are overweight or obese states Dorsey & Segal, (2007). There are many factors that contribute to the problem of childhood obesity. Obesity in children is likely to occur because of a combination of contributing factors like, bad eating habits, lack or exercise, genetics, and socioeconomic status. Obesity is a growing problem that is plaguing the youth in the state of Mississippi.
The National Commission on Correctional Health Care (2006), or NCCHC defines obese as a measurement called the Body Mass Index,or BMI. The BMI measuring system was developed by the Center for Disease Control, or CDC (National Commission on Correctional Health Care, 2006). “BMI is a formula that uses both weight and height to estimate body fat” (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2006). To calculate one's BMI, you have to divide your weight in kilograms by the square of your height in meters (Mokdad, 1999). This system of measurement is being use all over the United States, not just in Mississippi. The BMI is reported in percentiles (American Heart Association, 2005). “For example, if a child is in the 60th percentile, 60 percent of children their same age and gender have lower BMI” (American Heart Association, 2005). There are 4 main categories, or levels that one could fall under in the BMI scale (see Figure 1)....