NATION IN BRIEF

Mississippi to Host Summit on Obesity

JACKSON, Miss. -- Gov. Haley Barbour is no stranger to Southern cooking, but he is concerned about Mississippi's growing reputation as one of the fattest, unhealthiest states in America.

On Thursday, Barbour will host the Healthy Mississippi Summit, where state and national experts will discuss ways to promote nutrition and an active lifestyle. The goal is a statewide approach similar to programs operating in Arkansas, Michigan and elsewhere.

Mississippi leads the nation in obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease -- ailments that can be avoided through diet and exercise.

"The chronic disease burden in our state dramatically increases the cost of Medicaid and Medicare. Businesses lose money because employees miss work," Barbour said. "We know that we have tens of thousands of people who are in bad health because of their behavior."

David Katz of the Yale School of Public Health, an obesity expert and one of the conference speakers, said obesity is prevalent in Mississippi because of the state's high incidence of poverty. Nearly 20 percent of Mississippi residents are below the poverty level.

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-- From News Services