Shreveport, Louisiana Obesity Ranking
I cannot verify that Shreveport, Louisiana specifically ranks number six in the country for obesity based on the provided evidence, as none of the studies directly cite this specific ranking for Shreveport.
What the Evidence Shows About Louisiana and the Southern Region
Louisiana is part of the highest obesity region in the United States. The South, including Louisiana, has the highest rates of obesity in the country, with Mississippi having the highest adult obesity prevalence at 32.8%, followed by Alabama at 25.18%, and Louisiana showing similarly elevated rates 1, 2. Regional data reveals that the highest rates of obesity are concentrated in the South, the western Appalachians, and coastal North and South Carolina 1.
Why Southern States Like Louisiana Have High Obesity Rates
Socioeconomic Factors
- Poverty is the strongest predictor of obesity in Southern states. Analysis of Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Tennessee showed that income below poverty level had the strongest association with obesity (coefficient of determination 0.438), followed by receipt of food stamps (0.427) 2.
- Lower median household income is significantly associated with increased obesity prevalence, with each $10,000 decrease in household income associated with a 1.97-3.02% increase in obesity rates 3.
- Educational attainment below a bachelor's degree is associated with higher obesity prevalence 3.
Food Environment and Access
- Low-quality food consumption due to economic constraints significantly increases BMI in Southern states 2.
- The food environment—including limited access to healthy foods, abundance of calorie-dense processed foods, and prevalence of fast food establishments—contributes substantially to obesity rates 4.
- Rising consumption of high fructose corn syrup in sodas and processed foods plays a major role 4.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities
- African Americans have the highest obesity rates at 32.64% in Southern states 2.
- Non-Hispanic Black women have obesity rates of 49.6%, compared to 33.0% for non-Hispanic White women 1, 5.
- These disparities are driven primarily by socioeconomic status and environmental factors, including access to healthy foods and healthcare 1.
Physical Activity Patterns
- Decreased physical activity levels contribute to obesity, though at the population level, the association between meeting physical activity guidelines and obesity prevalence is not as strong as socioeconomic factors 3.
- Rural areas, which comprise significant portions of Louisiana, have higher obesity rates and lower fruit consumption compared to urban areas 6.
Regional and Cultural Patterns
- Urbanization patterns, sedentary lifestyles, and adoption of Western dietary patterns have accelerated obesity rates 1.
- The combination of poverty, limited access to nutritious foods, higher unemployment rates, and cultural dietary patterns creates a perfect storm for obesity in Southern states like Louisiana 2, 7.