Obesity in the South

An organization called "Trust for America's Health" has listed the states with the highest rate of obesity. Here are the top 4:
Mississippi
Alabama
West Virginia
Colorado

I have spent many a summer in Mississippi and I love the people of the South. I've seen over the years that the Southern culture has started to blend with the Northern culture. I'm guessing this is because of cable TV and the passing of time. When I'm down there, my family and relatives tend to go to McDonald's and Sonic just as often as people up North.

The only difference in the South is that they don't have a culture of exercise and fitness. The people of the South are hard workers. But they commonly don't ride bicycles, jog, or join health clubs. I saw my first jogger about 2 years ago.

The people of Mississippi and Alabama are one of the poorest people in the United States. So, chances are they can't afford to join a health club or buy a treadmill. The hot weather also contributes to staying indoors and being inactive. Poverty is commonly accompanied by a poor diet. Many people in these two states don't have health insurance. So, only under extreme circumstances do they go see a doctor.

I enjoy my visits in the South. And consider myself a Bayou Yankee: half Northerner and half Southerner. My hope is that along with other changes, it becomes more common for people in the South to start exercising so they live longer.