More on Obesity: Putting a Round Peg Into a Round Hole

Well, it seems that the CDC has been busy ranking states by obesity again.  Mississippi continues to be the most obese state.  Colorado is the fittest.  No big (ha!) surprises there.  Here is the link to the CDC report:  http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html.  Here is the actual map:

I embrace the CDC, but I have no idea why they have categories for 15-<20 and="and">35% when there are no states in those categories.  Perhaps to keep it consistent with previous and later maps???  (Planning on getting any fatter, Mississippi???  the CDC is ready for you.)

It seems that obesity is crawling up from the south through the mid-west (and likely taking the form of bacon and biscuits).  Ironically, these are the same states that say they are NOT going to participate in the Medicaid expansion program, and these are the states that have a larger portion of their population who would be eligible for Medicaid because of low incomes.  Thus, the costs of their populations' health care (which will be exacerbated by the obesity and the lack of regular preventive care and continual monitoring of obesity-related diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, CAD, etc.) will be shifted to others.  Is anyone thinking this through???

In reference to the title of this blog, there have been some good reports about obesity:  children's bad chloresterol levels have dropped, which researchers think is due to the disappearance of trans fats in foods, AND teens in states with laws preventing sales of snacks and sugary beverages in public schools have shown an increased ability to control their weight.  Studies here:  (http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/health/2012/08/08/children-cholesterol-levels-have-decreased-study-says/ --- I can't believe I'm citing Fox News for a legitimate story--- this is a first)  and http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/13/health/research/study-links-healthy-weight-in-children-with-tough-snack-and-sugary-drinks-laws.html?_r=2&smid=tw-share. 

Thus, it would seem that reducing children's intake of fats and sugars would help with obesity issues.  I bet this applies to adults as well.  At what point will obesity gain the same toxicity as tobacco use?  Write your Congressmen and representatives to help create positive public health requirements and regulations to help curb obesity.  A round peg in a round hole.  It's a no-brainer.

Obese smokers who have no insurance. . . OOOOOklahoma is the place to be!

Can you hear the song in your head?  Yes, it seems that yet another article has been written about Oklahoma's poor health.  Nearly one-third of its citizens are obese, many smoke, and many don't have health insurance.  What does this mean?  The rest of us in this highly conservative, gun-toting state are carrying the medical costs of those people who don't take care of themselves and who protest the individual mandate of the ACA (lest they actually receive preventative care and have to pay something).  Separating my call for some sense of fiscal and personal responsibility from the health issues, I'm going to try to focus on the public health issue of obesity that is at hand.  The Gazette's article quotes the OK Commissioner of Health as saying that parents don't know how to recognize obesity in their children;  this is a real issue.  I would have never thought that education about classification of obesity would be necessary, but it appears it is.  This sounds like part of a good practicum experience for our MPH students at the OU College of Public Health.  Of course, as with anything in Oklahoma, you're going to have to deal with various cultures.  In addition to Caucasians, African-Americans, and Hispanics, there is also a sizeable Native American population.  Differing cultural techniques will need to be used to educate people about obesity.  Let's face it, you can't just waltz in and call someone's kid fat and leave. 

Linked with the recognition issue (and needing to do it tactfully and after building trust), I've noticed since living here that people do not make wise choices in the grocery stores.  I often see people buying many processed foods, already made foods, high in sugar foods . . . you name it.  Although there would definitely be an initial air of paternalism, it's almost like people need to have health educators go to the grocery with them, help them pick out healthy foods, and then teach them how to quickly prepare such foods.  As someone who grew up eating McDonald's, canned ravioli, boxed macaroni and cheese, and frozen dinners, I can vouch that the change in palatte takes time, but it can happen.  I now eat almost no prepared foods, I cook with very little salt, and I eat many fresh fruits and veggies . . . and I LOVE it!  Even into college, I would eat brownies or cake from a box regularly, but now I can take all the synthetic ingredients.  It just doesn't even taste good to me.  This change can happen for others.  Again, perhaps this education, grocery shopping, and cooking lesson is a good practicum project for an MPH . . .  we'll see.  Either way, Oklahoma needs to make a change because its people are just huge.  Jaime Oliver, are you listening?  (http://www.jamieoliver.com/us/foundation/jamies-food-revolution/home)

Read the Oklahoma City Gazette article here:  http://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/article-15941-state-of-health.html