Over the past ten years, the rate of obesity among adults in Wilson County has been steadily increasing. In 2014, 33% of adults reported having a BMI over 30 kg/m², but by 2020, this number had increased to 42%. Several factors can explain this increase.

Being a rural community, many people face challenges finding affordable, healthy food and safe places to be active. The easiest options are often convenience stores and fast food, which might not be the healthiest choices. On top of this, many families in our county struggle financially, making it hard to buy nutritious food, especially when they have tight budgets.

Additionally, many spend more time sitting down and being less active than before. At the same time, sedentary lifestyles have become more common, with screens replacing active play for youth and desk jobs replacing labor jobs for adults. These changes in how we live and work have added up over the years, leading to more and more people across different generations facing obesity.

Reversing the obesity epidemic in Wilson County involves collaborative efforts to enact important changes:

1. Nutrition Education: Providing increased opportunities for residents to learn about healthy eating. Providing nutrition education empowers individuals to make informed and beneficial food choices.
2. Fresh, Affordable Produce: Ensuring fresh and nutritious foods, including fruits and vegetables, are readily available and economically accessible to all community members. Affordable access promotes healthier eating habits.
3. Active Lifestyles: Encouraging people of all ages to adopt active lifestyles. Creating environments and initiatives that support physical activity is essential to enable people to engage in enjoyable physical activities.
4. Regular Physical Activity: Facilitating convenient and ongoing opportunities for individuals to engage in physical activity. To achieve this goal, it may involve the development of safe places for walking or playing sports and implementing programs that motivate and assist people in maintaining an active lifestyle.

• Chronic Disease Prevention Education: Offer educational opportunities focused on chronic disease prevention to raise awareness and knowledge among residents.
• Worksite Wellness Collaboration: Partner with employers to implement policies supporting healthy vending options, activity breaks, and wellness campaigns in worksites.
• Nutrition Promotion: Promote healthy food and beverage choices through educational programs, cooking classes, and nutrition standards in schools and communities.
• Physical Activity Promotion: Encourage physical activity and reduce sedentary time among youth and adults through targeted programs and initiatives.
• Community Enhancement: Enhance community infrastructure and resources to support physical activity, such as improving parks and recreational facilities.
• Community Advocacy: Empower communities to organize and advocate for positive changes that promote healthier lifestyles.
• Breastfeeding Support: Promote and support breastfeeding as the optimal infant feeding choice through educational campaigns, lactation support, and breastfeeding-friendly policies.