Two recent health reports ranked Memphis as the least healthy city in Tennessee and the second “fattest city†in the nation.
More than 70 percent of people 15-years-old and older are classified as overweight or obese in the United States, according to a 2017 study done by Wallethub, an economics research blog and credit report assistant. This makes Americans the “fattest people in the world,†according to the study.
The influx of obesity-related health problems has increased the cost of medical treatments to $316 billion annually, as reported by the study. To identify the major cities contributing to poor health, the 2017 survey compared the 100 most populated metro areas in the U.S. and looked for indicators of weight-related problems.
Robin Roach, a University of Memphis professor in environmental nutrition, said Memphis is on many lists when it comes to health problems, and these lists are not ones Memphis wants to be on. She said what the city is doing to get off these lists is not working.
“Nutrition education programs, food distribution programs, advocacy for parks, bike lanes and health fairs are all admirable efforts and may help maintain the status quo but are not getting us out of the top 10,†Roach said. “The poverty in Memphis underlies the obesity epidemic and all other health-related issues.â€
With almost 40 percent of its population classified as obese, Memphis ranked second in the survey’s findings, behind Jackson, Mississippi, at number one. Memphis had the second highest percentage of obese adults and ranked within the top five for both the highest number of adults with diabetes and high blood pressure. Memphis also ranked first in most unhealthy environment.
Roach said obesity occurs in all socioeconomic segments but is highest where food access and availability of healthy and affordable food is lacking. However, with the recent growth in neighborhood gardening, local markets offering affordable fruit and vegetables and a return to cooking, Roach said she is encouraged there is room for change in the city.
“When we grow our food, touch it, taste it, freshly picked, there’s no turning back, and when our children bring home school garden-grown herbs and vegetables and want to cook them, there’s no turning back,†Roach said. “I’m convinced we need to start over with what food we make accessible, affordable and available to Memphians.â€
Memphis’ high “food insecurity†rate also contributes to its standing as the least healthy, according to 24/7 Wall Street, an economics blog that conducted a survey of the least healthy cities in each state in 2017.
About 20 percent of the city’s population does not have access to nutritious foods. Food insecurity is caused by distances to grocery stores being too great, consumers’ low incomes or both. These are likely contributors to Memphis’ high obesity rate, according to the survey.
Susan Roakes, a professor in the department of city and regional planning, said studies have shown obesity is related to land use.
“Lack of walkability has an influence on obesity,†Roakes said. “Cities are built for cars and trains, which people will often choose over walking.â€
Roakes also attributed obesity to learned behaviors from a young age.
“Part of the problem starts with and has been linked to childhood,†Roakes said. “People are intimidated by walking, and children who are driven to school or transported by bus learn to rely on these forms of transportation early.â€
