Rossene Minard prefers produce over packaged....but admitts picking healthy options is tough.
"With the prices of everything today, including food, gas, electric and everything sometimes I have to go and I have to decide well, am I gonna pay a little on the electric bill....just so I can buy the food that we need."
Minard isn't alone....a new study out today by the Trust for America's Health and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation shows our poor economy is feeding the obesity epidemic.
"We need to have policies in place to give our families real options. Our children need to have physical activity in schools. We need to make sure that there are healthy foods that are affordable in all of our communities."
Communities that are busting at the seams.
According to the study....obesity rates have gone up in every state.
Every state except Colorado is above 20%.
Here's a look at the top five.
Mississippi is one top with an obesity rate 32.5%. Alabama is close behind with 31.2% followed by West Virginia at 31.1%, Tennessee at 30% and South Carolina at 29.7%.
Maryland came in 25th.
"The number of obese adults increased in Maryland in the past year. Maryland has the 25th highest rate of obese adults in the country at 26%. In addition the state has the 36th highest number of obese and overweight children at over 28%."
"My kids always want the chips. They want to eat McDonalds, or the carryout food."
Study experts want healthier options for kids at school.....and more exercise in the curriculum.
"We'll never control healthcare costs, until we address the obesity epidemic and improve the health of the nation."
