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This study investigated trends in obesity among K-12 students in Mississippi public schools. Prevalence was considered overall and within subgroups categorized by gender, race, and grade level. Data were collected from a representative sample of Mississippi public school students through the biennial Child and Youth Prevalence of Obesity Survey (CAYPOS) from 2005-2019. The overall prevalence rates and those of the subgroups were calculated and compared. Students (n = 4,332 in 2019 CAYPOS) from kindergarten to 12th grade in Mississippi public schools were surveyed. The 2019 data indicated that the obesity prevalence increased with grade level for both males and females: among elementary students, 24.8% were obese; among middle school students, 26.6% were obese; and among high school students, 27.9% were obese. By race, the 2019 data showed that 16.4% of white students were overweight and 22.7% were obese. For black students, 16.3% were overweight and 27.9% were obese. Both male and female elementary school students continued to have the lowest overweight and obesity rates since 2009. Female high school students continued to have the highest overweight and obesity prevalence rates in both 2017 and 2019 CAYPOS. Overall, the obesity prevalence rates across all groups fluctuated over the years with a linear increase trend only being observed among high school students, and quadratic changes being only detected among white students and elementary school students. Continuous efforts should be made to combat the obesity issue in the state of Mississippi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compared subgroup differences in COVID-19 case and mortality and investigated factors associated with case and mortality rate (MR) measured at the county level in Mississippi. Findings were based on data published by the Mississippi State Department of Health between March 11 and July 16, 2020. The COVID-19 case rate and case fatality rate (CFR) differed by gender and race, while MR only differed by race. Residents aged 80 years or older and those who live in a non-metro area had a higher case rate, CFR, and MR. After controlling for selected factors, researchers found that the percent of residents who are obese, low income, or with certain chronic conditions were associated with the county COVID-19 case rate, CFR, and/or MR, though some were negatively related. The findings may help the state to identify counties with higher COVID-19 case rate, CFR, and MR based on county demographics and the degree of its chronic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2017 biennial Child and Youth Prevalence of Obesity Study (CAYPOS) of Mississippi public school students in grades K-12 (N = 4,348) determined that the prevalence ot obesity (23.7%) and the combined overweight/obesity (40.0%) remained higher than the national averages. However, between the 2005 CAYPOS and the 2017 CAYPOS. the combined overweight/obese prevalence declined from 43.9% in 2005 to 40.0% in 2017 (P = 0.040). Consistent with previous findings, the 2017 CAYPOS indicated that combined overweight/obesity was higher among black students than white students (P = 0.019). In examining racial disparities over time, the differences in combined overweight/obesity by race peaked in 2011, yet decreased in 2013, 2015, and 2017. Grade level analyses indicated significant differences in 2017, with the lowest prevalence continuing among elementary students since 2009. Beginning in 2011 and continuing in 2017, the combined prevalence of ovenveight/obesity was lowest among the elementary students, and the declines since 2005 have been statistically significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Interpregnancy Care Project ot Mississippi investigated whether primary health care and social support followingvery low' birthweight deliver)' improved subsequent child spacing and pregnancy outcomes among low income black women. Two cohorts of women were enrolled following very low birthweight deliveries: an urban cohort (n=47) and a rural cohort (n=S5). Subsequent reproductive outcomes were compared with retrospective control cohorts. In the urban group, pregnancies within nine months were significantly lower (p=0.05) for intervention participants. Although not significantly different, the trend for fewer pregnancies and adverse outcomes was positive at 9 and 18 months in both urban and rural intervention groups. Two important study findings include identification ot implementation barriers (providers, transportation, continuity oi care) and identification of previously unrecognized or inadequately managed chronic conditions (urban 62%; rural 63%) associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Increasing interpregnancy care implementation and primaiy healthcare access for low income Mississippi women will reduce very low birth weight deliveries and. subsequently their chronic healtli problems and exorbitant costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the impact of selected maternal chronic medical conditions, race, and age on preterm birth (PTB), low birth weight (LBW), and infant mortality among Mississippi mothers from 1999 to 2003. Design: A retrospective cohort analysis of linked birth and death certificates. Sample: The 1999–2003 Mississippi birth cohort comprising 202,931 singleton infants born to African American and White women. Measurements: The relationship between maternal chronic conditions and the dependent variables of PTB, LBW, and infant mortality were investigated using logistic regression analysis. Results: PTB, LBW, and infant mortality were more prevalent among African American women, very young women (≤15 years), and women with certain chronic medical conditions. Among White mothers, maternal chronic hypertension was significantly associated with PTB and LBW, and maternal diabetes with PTB and infant mortality. Among African American mothers, maternal cardiac disease was significantly associated with PTB and LBW; maternal chronic hypertension was significantly associated with LBW and infant mortality; and maternal diabetes with PTB. Conclusions: Maternal chronic hypertension and diabetes were significantly associated with negative birth outcomes regardless of maternal race. Maternal cardiac disease was only significantly associated with PTB and LBW among African Americans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Mississippi has one of the highest mortality rates in colorectal cancer (CRC) and one of the lowest rates of CRC screening in the United States. The purpose of the study was to assess the characteristics of Mississippians who met the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation on CRC screening and type of the test they used.Methods: We analyzed the data from the 2018 Mississippi Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (N = 5843), which included a CRC screening module for participants who were 50 years old or older. Respondents in this module were asked when, if ever, they had last undergone a colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, or stool occult test. Their responses were then categorized according to their compliance with the USPSTF recommendations on CRC screening. We compared the compliance with responders' sociodemographic and risk factors. Data analysis accounted for the complex sampling design.Results: The majority of the CRC screening tests are colonoscopies: 60.1% of Mississippians aged 50 to 75 years had received one within 10 years. In addition, 7.8% had taken a stool test within the last year, and 1.9% had undergone sigmoidoscopy within 5 years. The prevalence of individuals aged 50 to 75 in Mississippi who met the USPSTF recommendation for CRC screening in 2018 was 62.6%. Women (65.5%), married (67.5%), those with health insurance (66.5%) or annual household income of ≥$75,000 (71.6%), those with a regular healthcare provider (68.0%), or those who quit smoking (70.4%) had higher compliance than their counterparts. After controlling for the covariates, the adults aged 50 to 75 who had health insurance or had a personal healthcare provider were 2.52 and 2.95 times more likely to be compliant, respectively (P < 0.001). Those who had quit smoking were 2.27 times more likely to be compliant with the USPSTF than current smokers (P < 0.001). Weight status, binge drinking, or physical inactivity was not associated with the CRC screening rates.Conclusions: Mississippi adults aged 50 to 75 were more likely to be compliant with the CRC screening standards if they had insurance coverage or access to care. To further increase the overall CRC screening rate and for the benefit of the 70 × 2020 state initiative, certain screenings such as stool test need to be promoted and recommended by family practitioners, and certain subgroups of the population such as smokers need to be targeted and educated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]