The chubbiest part of America needs to start growing their own!

A new report from America's Health Rankings reveal that the U.S. as a whole is getting chubbier. Mississippi leads the way with 35.3% of the population weighing in as obese. 

"Mississippi has the worst eating habits in the country.  Only 8.8% of the adult population eats the recommended amount of daily fruits and vegetables, the lowest rate in the country.  Residents consumed just under 82 gallons of soft drinks per capita in 2006, the greatest amount reported. Furthermore, the state has the third highest rate of household-level food insecurity, with 17.1% of households being effected.  It is perhaps unsurprising, then, that the state has the highest rates of both adult diabetes (12.8%) and adult obesity (35%)"*. 

Aside from being unhealthy, obese Americans are more expensive ~ diabetes, coronary artery disease, strokes, cancer, dementia, postmenopausal estrogen receptors, and an entire host of social and emotional problems are linked to poor diets.  Obesity is the most written-about health problem in the U.S. today and the number of studies about its causes and solutions increase daily. The journal Health Affairs reported last year that obesity-related health spending in the U.S. reached $147 BILLION!

So what to do Mississippi? It all starts at home and one bite at a time. It is going to take a big change in attitude. Take Californians ~ where the two 'vainest' U.S. cities are found (San Fran & L.A.) ~ if too much focus on exercise and eating healthy food gives us a bad name...We'll take it ~ and a big fat helping of vitality and longevity with it!

In the study: 10 States with the Worst Eating Habits* the primary reason for the awful and deadly eating habit was lack of access to affordable and nutritious food. And despite a lack of funds, a large portion of their money was going to junk food, soft drinks (by the gallon) and candy (by the pound.) 

Again, it all starts at home ~ making better and wiser choices with your time and money will go a LONG way.  

A 4x4 garden, planted 3 times a year will provide a family of 4 with 50% of their annual vegetable needs. Kids LOVE gardening.  Teaching children to plant and harvest will not only get them outdoors and focused on real, healthy food, it will change the doomed road they are now travelling. Check out our give2grow page for advice and ideas.

Not interested in planting your own? Check out Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) via Local Harvest.org where you will find people ready and willing to help you help yourself.

*Charles Stockdale, Douglas McIntyre and Michael Sauter report in the article: 10 States with the Worst Eating Habits