Fighting Obesity in Central Mississippi

描述（由申请人提供）：肥胖的患病率和发病率在美国持续上升。统计数据令人担忧，全国13个州的肥胖率超过25%。尽管大多数州的肥胖率都在上升，但在2005年，密西西比州按年龄调整后的肥胖率占总人口的31.2%。2006年，密西西比州再次成为最肥胖的州，在全国肥胖患病率中排名第一。人们越来越关注肥胖与慢性疾病之间的关系，因为肥胖会增加患2型糖尿病、冠心病、高血压、血脂异常、中风和某些癌症的风险。这些健康问题是造成密西西比州发病率和死亡率以及健康差距的主要原因。研究表明，在经历这些健康问题的人群中存在健康差异，有趣的是，服务不足的人群往往更容易经历这些问题。由于这些统计数据，这项在杰克逊医疗中心进行的为期三年的研究建议通过对杰克逊大都会社区成年男性和女性的健康促进和教育来消除与肥胖相关的健康差异。具体目标是：1)建立一个关于肥胖的年度健康研讨会系列，为这个领域研究和服务前沿的不同群体的科学家和社区领袖提供一个信息共享的论坛。本系列将以最近举行的杰克逊州立大学“糖尿病和肥胖（糖尿病）”会议为基础；2)建立糖尿病与肥胖（糖尿病）年会；3)评估不健康生活方式行为（包括饮食和身体活动）的使用、疗效和改变，这些资料来自于2006年10月18日在密西西比州杰克逊医疗中心的NIH资源中心确定的糖尿病和肥胖相关资料；4)通过焦点小组确定社区卫生需求。对焦点小组进行测试前和测试后的调查，并对讲习班和资源材料的有效性进行评估，以a)确定社区的需求；b)向NIH资源中心提供有价值的反馈；c)为更大的资助机会提供信息。所有信息将被评估，翻译，并在整个杰克逊大都会社区传播。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The prevalence and incidence of obesity continue to increase in the United States. The statistics are alarming in that obesity exceeds 25 percent in 13 states across the country. Although the majority of states show an increase in the rate of obesity, in 2005, the age adjusted obesity prevalence rate in Mississippi was 31.2 percent of its total population. Mississippi, once again in 2006, claimed the title of the most obese, ranking number 1 in the prevalence of obesity in the nation. There is growing concern about the association of obesity and chronic diseases because obesity is a gateway to increased risk for type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, hypertension, dyslipidemia, stroke, and certain cancers. These health problems have contributed to the leading causes of morbidity and mortality and health disparities in Mississippi. Studies show that health disparities exist among populations experiencing these health problems, and, interestingly, the underserved populations tend to experience these at greater rates. Because of these statistics, this three-year study at the Jackson Medical Mall proposes to eliminate health disparities associated with obesity by health promotion and education in adult men and women of the Jackson Metropolitan community. The specific aims are to: 1) establish an annual health workshop series on obesity to provide a forum for information-sharing by a diverse group of scientists and community leaders at the forefront of research and service in this area. This series will build upon the recently held Jackson State University conference on "Diabetes and Obesity (Diabesity);" 2) establish an annual conference on diabetes and obesity (diabesity); 3) assess the use, efficacy, and change in unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, including eating and physical activity, obtained following the utilization of diabetes and obesity - related materials ascertained from the NIH Resource Center at the Jackson Medical Mall in Jackson, Mississippi, established October 18, 2006; and 4) identify community health needs via focus groups. Pre- and post-test surveys administered to focus groups, and evaluations on the effectiveness of the workshops and resource materials will be used to a) determine the needs of the community; b) provide valuable feedback to the NIH Resource Center; and c) provide information for larger grant funding opportunities. All information will be evaluated, translated, and disseminated throughout the Jackson Metropolitan Community.