Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2026
Advisor
Jeannette Manger
Abstract
Over 40% of adults in the United States struggle with obesity. While several social determinants of health have been tied to obesity, only limited research on the effect of childhood education, food environments, and physical activity resources on a state-wide level has been conducted. It is imperative that we identify connections between obesity, associated comorbidities, education, and SDoH as these will inform improvements in national social structures and healthcare systems. States Ohio (OH) and Mississippi (MS) differ in high school completion rates, food access, and exercise opportunities yet both states continue to experience rising adult obesity rates. This study analyzed 2025 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps data to evaluate how high school completion, food environment index, and access to exercise opportunities contribute to adult obesity in OH and MS, and to patterns across childhood and adulthood obesity in MS. Stepwise linear regressions showed that in OH, food environment index and access to exercise opportunities explained 28.5% of obesity variance, while in MS, high school completion and food environment index explained 31.7%. High school completion rates were significantly lower in MS than OH, and negative correlations between high school completion and obesity were stronger in MS than OH. Childhood obesity in MS remained high, affecting 21–26% of students across grade levels. Findings demonstrate how differences in educational attainment and environmental factors contribute to obesity rates and emphasize the need for further research focused on state-specific prevention methods for both adults and children.
Repository Citation
Lal, R., & Wolford, D. (2026). Childhood Factors That Affect Adult Obesity in Ohio and Mississippi. Wright State University. Dayton, Ohio.
