Executive Summary
1998 Mississippi Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Note: only responses to questions on general health, health risk behaviors for
chronic disease (including health care access), and screening behaviors are given here
Health status
- 21.0% report that general health is fair or poor
- 13.5% report that physical health was not good for more than 7 days during the past 30
days
- 11.6% report that mental health was not good for more than 7 days during the past 30
days
- 7.4% report that poor physical/mental health prevented usual activities for more than 7
days during the past 30 days
Cigarette smoking
- 23.9% report that they are current cigarette smokers (have ever smoked 100 cigarettes
and now smoke every day or some days)
- 21.7% report that they are former cigarette smokers (have ever smoked 100 cigarettes but
do not smoke now)
- 51.0% of current daily smokers report that they have quit smoking for 1 day or longer
during the past 12 months
Cigar smoking
- 1.6% report that they are current cigar smokers (smoked a cigar everyday or several
times per week within the past month )
Physical activity/exercise
- 33.8% report that they are physically inactive (HP 2000 Obj. 1.5)
- 61.1% report sedentary lifestyle (sedentary or irregular physical activity profile)
- 19.2% report frequent regular exercise (HP 2000 Obj. 1.3)
- 10.4% report regular intensive exercise (HP 2000 Obj. 1.4)
- 39.5% report that they are using physical activity/exercise to lose weight (or keep from
gaining weight)
- 51.7% report that they are exercising more to lower their risk of developing heart
disease or stroke
- 35.0% report that they have been advised by a doctor to exercise more to lower their
risk of developing heart disease or stroke
- 65.2% of those so advised report that they are exercising more
Diet, body weight, and weight control
- 35.8% of respondents are overweight (BMI >= 27.7 for men, 27.3 for women)
- 21.1% of respondents are obese (BMI >= 30)
- 53.6% report that they are dieting to lose weight (or keep from gaining weight)
- 39.5% report that they are using physical activity/exercise to lose weight (or keep from
gaining weight)
- 37.4% are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes (because of obesity/overweight and lack
of physical activity/exercise)
- 62.8% report that they are eating fewer high fat/high cholesterol foods to lower their
risk of developing heart disease or stroke
- 31.1% report that they have been advised by a doctor to eat fewer high fat/high
cholesterol foods to lower their risk of developing heart disease or stroke
- 84.0% of those so advised report that they are eating fewer high fat/high cholesterol
foods
Diabetes
- Prevalence of self-reported diabetes (told by a doctor): 7.6%
- 37.4% are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes (because of obesity/overweight and lack
of physical activity/exercise)
- 70.4% of persons with self-reported diabetes have had two or more visits to a health
care provider for their diabetes in the past year
- 43.6% of persons with self-reported diabetes have had at least four visits to a
healthcare provider for their diabetes in the past year
- 21.6% of persons with self-reported diabetes have heard of HgbA1c
- 20.3% of persons with self-reported diabetes and who have heard of HgbA1c have had two
or more HgbA1c checks by a health care provider in the past year
- 3.9% of persons with self-reported diabetes and who have heard of HgbA1c have had at
least four HgbA1c checks by a health care provider in the past year
- 35.7% of persons with self-reported diabetes have had two or more foot exams by a health
care provider in the past year
- 23.0% of persons with self-reported diabetes have had at least four foot exams by a
health care provider in the past year
- 54.0% of persons with self-reported diabetes have had a dilated eye exam within the past
year
- 66.7% of persons with self-reported diabetes have had a dilated eye exam within the past
two years
Cardiovascular disease
- 4.7% report that they have been told by a doctor that they had a heart attack or
myocardial infarction
- 4.0% report that they have been told by a doctor that they had angina or coronary heart
disease
- 2.0% report that they have been told by a doctor that they had a stroke
- 31.1% report that they have been advised by a doctor to eat fewer high fat/high
cholesterol foods to lower their risk of developing heart disease or stroke
- 84.0% of those so advised report that they are eating fewer high fat/high cholesterol
foods
- 62.8% of all respondents report that they are eating fewer high fat/high cholesterol
foods to lower their risk of developing heart disease or stroke
- 35.0% report that they have been advised by a doctor to exercise more to lower their
risk of developing heart disease or stroke
- 65.2% of those so advised report that they are exercising more
- 51.7% of all respondents report that they are exercising more to lower their risk of
developing heart disease or stroke
- 12.3% of all respondents are taking aspirin every day or every other day to reduce the
chance of heart attack or stroke
- 45.0% of persons who have been told by a doctor that they had heart disease or stroke
are taking aspirin every day or every other day to reduce the chance of heart attack or
stroke
- 12.9% of peri- or post-menopausal women report that they are currently taking estrogen
pills to prevent a heart attack
Fruit and vegetable consumption
- Percent reporting that they eat fruits/vegetables 5 or more times per day: 15.6%
Mammography screening
- 53.1% of women 50-59 years of age have had a screening mammogram within the past year
- 71.3% of women 50-59 years of age have had a screening mammogram within the past two
years
- 47.6% of women 60-69 years of age have had a screening mammogram within the past year
- 68.2% of women 60-69 years of age have had a screening mammogram within the past two
years
Pap smear screening
- 82.9% of women 18-65 years of age have had Pap smear screening within the past three
years
Health care access
- 18.6% report that they have no kind of health care coverage
- 15.5% report that there was a time during the past 12 months that they needed to see a
doctor but could not because of the cost