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Comparative Study
. 2011 Jul;8(4):A85.
Epub 2011 Jun 15.

Using small-area estimation method to calculate county-level prevalence of obesity in Mississippi, 2007-2009

Zhen Zhang  1 , Lei Zhang, Alan Penman, Warren May
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Using small-area estimation method to calculate county-level prevalence of obesity in Mississippi, 2007-2009

Zhen Zhang et al. Prev Chronic Dis. 2011 Jul.

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity is one of Mississippi's pressing public health problems. Since 2005, the state has ranked first in the nation in adult obesity prevalence. For authorities to take targeted action against the obesity epidemic, counties, regions, and subpopulations that are most affected by obesity need to be identified. The objective of this study was to assess the scope, socioeconomic and geographic characteristics, and temporal trends of the obesity epidemic in Mississippi.

Methods: Using 2007-2009 Mississippi Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data and auxiliary data, we applied a small-area estimation method to estimate county-level obesity prevalence in 2007 through 2009, to assess the association between obesity and socioeconomic factors and to evaluate temporal trends. We determined geographic patterns by mapping obesity prevalence. We appraised the precision of estimates by the width of 95% confidence intervals, and we validated our small-area estimates by comparing them with direct estimates.

Results: In 2009, the county prevalence of obesity ranged from 30.5% to 44.2%. Counties with the highest prevalence of obesity were in the Delta region and along the Mississippi River. The obesity prevalence increased from 2007 through 2009. Age, sex, race, education, and employment status were associated with obesity.

Conclusion: The 2009 obesity prevalence in all Mississippi counties was substantially higher than the national average and differed by geography and race. Although urgent intervention measures are needed in the entire state, policies and programs giving higher priority to higher-risk areas and subpopulations identified by this study may be better strategies.

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Figures

graph
Figure 1
2009 Mississippi County prevalence of obesity, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data. Ten percent of the counties with the lowest and highest obesity rates are shown. The vertical line at 15% indicates the Healthy People 2010 goal for obesity; vertical lines at 27.1%, and 35.4% indicate the 2009 national and state averages, respectively. Obesity is defined as a BMI  ≥30.0 kg/m2 based on 2009 BRFSS self-reported data.
graph
Figure 2
2009 Mississippi county prevalence of obesity map (in quartiles),  Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data. Lighter colors represent lower obesity rate, and darker colors represent higher obesity rate. Obesity is defined as BMI ≥30.0 kg/m2 based on 2009 BRFSS self-reported data.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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