An initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Explore State Data

Mississippi

In Mississippi, 23.1% of youth ages 10 to 17 have obesity, giving Mississippi a ranking of 4 among the 50 states and D.C. This page includes Mississippi data in four areas: the latest data on obesity, diabetes, and hypertension; how federal nutrition policies impact Mississippi; health behaviors and outcomes among high school students; and policies enacted by Mississippi to support health and prevent obesity.

Childhood Nutrition Data

National programs and policies can make it easier for children to access healthier foods and beverages. The number of children participating in each of these programs varies from state to state. See participation numbers and rates below, or visit the full interactive feature.

Visit full interactive with child nutrition policy data

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

404,443

Mississippi Number of residents participating in SNAP in May 2022.

70% Percentage of eligible residents participating in 2018.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) -- Children

244,000

Mississippi Number of participating residents who are children in SNAP-Children in FY 2018.

48.60% Percentage of participants who are children in FY 2018.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - White

26.30%

Mississippi Percentage of participating households where the head of household is White SNAP-White head of household in FY 2018.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - African-American

48.40%

Mississippi Percentage of participating households where the head of household is African-American SNAP-African-American head of household in FY 2018.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - Hispanic

0.30%

Mississippi Percentage of participating households where the head of household is Hispanic SNAP-Hispanic head of household in FY 2018.

Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)

39,241

Mississippi Number of children participating SFSP in FY 2021.

Head Start

20,504

Mississippi Number of funded Head Start slots in Head Start in 2020.

54% Percentage of eligible children ages 3-5 who had access to Head Start in 2020.

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

72,826

Mississippi Number of residents participating in WIC in FY 2021.

51.70% Percentage of eligible residents participating in 2016.

Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

40,370

Mississippi Number of students participating in CACFP in FY 2021.

20,939,490 Total meals served annually in FY 2021.

National School Lunch Program (NSLP)

614,439

Mississippi In recent years, schools have greatly improved the nutritional quality of the meals they offer to students. Research shows school meals help reduce obesity, hunger and food insecurity. The table below shows the percentage of students eligibile for free or reduced price lunch, as well as the number of students who participate in the school lunch program. in NSLP in FY 2022.

74.8% Percentage of students eligible for free/reduced-price lunch in 2019-2020.

Food Insecurity (CFI)

23.00%

Mississippi Percentage of children who are food insecure in CFI in 2018.

High Schooler Health Data

The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) surveys high school students to better understand a variety of health issues and behaviors. This feature includes data related to obesity, nutrition, and physical activity.

Visit full interactive with data on nutrition behaviors among high school students

Visit full interactive with data on physical activity behaviors among high school students

Low P.E. Participation
75.5%
75.5%
Physically active at least 60 minutes
23.4%
23.4%
High Computer Usage
42.7%
42.7%
High TV Watching
27.6%
27.6%
High Soda Consumption
24.7%
24.7%
No Breakfast
19.6%
19.6%
Low Fruit Consumption
10.7%
10.7%
Low Vegetable Consumption
16%
16%