According to a study by The State of Obesity, Mississippi has dropped its obesity rating to second in the country.

Usually our state is the butt of many jokes, especially from our fellow low ranking neighbors Louisiana and Alabama. 

However, being the second most obese state in the nation, rather than the first, is nothing to be proud of. 

The study shows how the state obesity rate rose to 35.6 percent, a significant increase from 23.7 percent in 2000 and 15 percent in 1990. 

Louisiana is only ahead of Mississippi by 0.6 percent, with Colorado holding up the lowest end of the spectrum with 20.2 percent.  

It can seem shockingly evident why our country continues to struggle with obesity and its health-related issues. 

It would be reasonable to say that most every major highway exit has at least one fast food franchise. 

Fast food is just that, it’s fast, and easy. There aren’t many people that like to go home after a long day of work and spend even half an hour cooking dinner. 

Fast food offers a simple solution for many of us that want or need a quick meal so we can carry on with our day. 

However, depending on the menu item we choose, it can come at a great cost to personal health. 

With the fast paced life the American people are part of, what we need is a fast, yet healthy way to keep us fueled and ready to go. 

Many American people simply don’t choose a healthy fast food option. 

The way to reduce our obesity rate and its related health problems starts by choosing food that won’t clog our arteries.