Analyzing Higher Prevalence Of Depression In Association With Obesity And Health Outcomes: The MS Delta
Taylor Harris1, Roneisha Isom2, Henry D. Fuller3
1Mississippi INBRE Service Scholar, Coahoma Community College, Clarksdale, MS
2Mississippi INBRE Service Scholar, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
3My Brother’s Keeper, Jackson, MS
Studies have shown that poor success with weight loss can be predicted by higher depression rates whereas successful weight loss is associated with a reduction in depression. While obesity and depression often coexist, the relationship between these conditions is ineffectively seen, particularly among African Americans in the South, who obesity rates are the highest in the country. MBK’s Project CHANGE 3.0 hopes to improves the quality of life and the stability of food among residents across the state of Mississippi. Qualitative surveys were distributed through various cities and county events within the Mississippi Delta. Questions consisted of demographic as well as food access and mental health. Responses were analyzed using SPSS to determine descriptive statistics, crosstabs, and frequencies. Research shows that financial hardships are not limited to mental and emotional problems. In addition, 77.6% families who eat at fast food restaurants are satisfied with their life. However, it can be argued that these individuals may eat fast food as a coping mechanism because they are not being properly diagnosed by a health professional with having a depressive disorder. In addition, the data also showed that most children who are being bullied have an unhealthy diet (60.8%). Studies show that obesity and mental illness, such as depression, regularly coincide especially among African Americans in the South. Acknowledgement: This work was funded by an Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the NIGMS under grant number P20GM103476.