Racial Disparities in Obesity Prevalence in Mississippi: Role of Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Physical Activity

Although the etiology of obesity is complex, social disparities are gaining attention for their contribution to obesity. The aim of this study was to estimate prevalence of obesity and to explore the associations between socio-demographic characteristics and obesity by race in Mississippi. Data from the 2014 Mississippi Behavior Risk Factors Surveillance System (BRFSS) were used in this study (n = 3794). Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests and logistic regressions were conducted using SAS Proc. Survey procedures to account for BRFSS's multistage complex survey design and sample weights. The overall prevalence of self-reported obesity was 37%. Multiple logistic regression model showed gender was the only variable associated with increased risk of obesity among blacks. Black females were more likely to be obese (Adjusted OR [aOR] = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.4-2.7, ref = male) after controlling for confounders. Among white adults, obesity was significantly associated with physical activity, gender, age and education levels. Those aged 25-44 years (aOR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1-2.6, ref ≥ 64 years), those were physically inactivity (aOR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.4-2.5, ref = physically active) or had high school education (OR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.2-2.3, ref = college graduate) or some college (aOR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.2-2.3, ref = college graduate) were more likely to be obese; females (aOR = 0.8; 95% CI: 0.6-0.9, ref = male) and those aged 18-24 years (aOR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.21-0.9, ref ≥ 64 years) were less likely to be obese.