Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #139079
Title: OVERVIEW OF SELF REPORTED HEALTH STATUS OF RESIDENTS OF THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI DELTA (LMD) OF ARKANSAS (AR), LOUISIANA (LA), AND MISSISSIPPI (MS) OF THE USA

Author
item Kramer, Tim
item Bogle, Margaret
item Casey, Patrick
item FOMBY, B - SOUTHERN UNIV AND A&M COL
item Forsythe, William
item Goolsby, Susan
item GOSSETT, J - ACHRI, DAC
item Neal, Edith
item LOVEJOY, J - PENNINGTON BIOMED RES CRT
item RASCO, M - ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Dietary Assessment Methods International Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/1/2002
Publication Date: 1/26/2003
Citation: KRAMER, T.R., BOGLE, M.L., CASEY, P., FOMBY, B., FORSYTHE, W., GOOLSBY, S., GOSSETT, J., NEAL, E.G., LOVEJOY, J., RASCO, M. OVERVIEW OF SELF REPORTED HEALTH STATUS OF RESIDENTS OF THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI DELTA (LMD) OF ARKANSAS (AR), LOUISIANA (LA), AND MISSISSIPPI (MS) OF THE USA. DIETARY ASSESSMENT METHODS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS. Chiang Rai, Thailand. 2003. Abstract No. E1.8.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Introduction: The LMD region is a predominantly rural area with high rates of poverty and ranks among the least healthy regions of the US. The population is approximately 50% African American (AA) and Caucasian (CAU). Objective: Determine self-reported health status of a representative sample of the LMD population and compare it to a US national sample (Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals 1994-1996, 1998). Methods: A two-stage stratified cluster plan was used to identify the representative LMD population. A random digit dialing telephone survey of 1751 adults (18+ y) and 485 children (3-17 y) completed the interview containing health related questions. One eligible adult and child (in households with children) were interviewed per household. Interviewed were 655 adult males (M) and 1096 females (F), and 231 M and 254 F children including 49% AA and 48% CAU adults, and 55% AA and 42% CAU children. Results: Self-reported diabetes (10.8 vs 5.6%), high cholesterol (17.6 vs 14%), hypertension (33.2 vs 20%), and obesity (33.9 vs 17.3%) were significantly (p<0.001) higher in adults of the LMD than the US population, respectively. Self/guardian-reported obesity (27.9 vs 16.2%) was significantly (p<0.001) higher in children of the LMD than the US population, respectively. The prevalence of self-reported health conditions by gender and race for adults of the LMD was: diabetes 8.7% M vs 12.6% F (p<0.05), 13.2% AAs vs 9.1% CAUs (p<0.05), hypertension 28.9% M vs 36.9% F (p<0.001), 38.2% AAs vs 29% CAUs (p<0.001), obesity 32.3% M vs 35.4% F (NS), 38.8% AAs vs 29.9% CAUs (p<0.001). Summary: The adult LMD population reported significantly higher incidences of diabetes, elevated cholesterol, hypertension, and obesity than the US sample. Controlling for age, income, and gender, AAs reported higher incidences of diabetes, elevated cholesterol, hypertension, and obesity than CAUs, and controlling for age, income, and race, females reported higher incidences of diabetes and hypertension than males. Children of the LMD had a higher prevalence of obesity than the US sample. Conclusion: These results provide a basis for implementing a variety of community-based nutrition interventions in the Lower Mississippi Delta. Supported by USDA/ARS Project #6251-53000-003-00D.