Denise Holston

Over the last 20 years, obesity rates in the United States have risen significantly among both adults and children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the adult obesity rate climbed from 30.5% in 2000 to 41.9% in 2020, marking an increase of more than 10%. Similarly, childhood obesity rates grew from 16% to 19.7% during the same period. Projections indicate that adult obesity rates could reach between 50% and 60% by 2030. In the South, rural areas tend to have higher obesity rates compared to urban areas, with Louisiana consistently ranking among the states with the highest obesity rates.

Factors contributing to the increase in obesity are numerous and complex. These range from changes in dietary patterns over time — consumption of high-fat, high-sodium diets with larger portion sizes — to more sedentary lifestyles, the presence of food deserts in rural areas, food swamps in urban areas and environments that do not support physical activity.

If we take a closer look at a person’s individual-level dietary behaviors, having the knowledge, skills and resources to plan and prepare a healthy meal is critical — but not always enough to adopt and also sustain healthy behaviors. Dietary behaviors don’t occur in isolation. They are influenced by a multitude of factors, which include but are not limited to the availability and affordability of healthy items, perceptions of family and loved ones, cultural norms and transportation. These influences can make dietary changes challenging. Research has found that people are less likely to adopt healthier behaviors if those behaviors are not perceived as easy or attainable, regardless of how much knowledge they have. Environments where a person lives, works and learns can influence individuals’ ability to adopt and maintain healthy behaviors.

Taking these factors into account, the LSU AgCenter developed the Healthy Communities initiative. Healthy Communities is based on the Cooperative Extension Framework for Health Equity and Well-Being that was developed by a national task force of extension professionals in 2014 and updated in 2021. The Healthy Communities initiative addresses both individual-level behaviors and the broader context in which individuals make choices — focusing on creating environments that encourage healthy behaviors by reducing barriers to healthy eating and exercise.

We do this by combining evidence-based nutrition education with community-driven strategies to make the healthy choice the easy choice. Our nutrition agents work with local community coalitions to assess, plan and implement approaches that make sense for each unique community. Some of our strategies include enhancing food pantries, farmers markets, school and community gardens, local food retailers, bike and pedestrian infrastructure, and other community spaces like parks and libraries.

Removing barriers and creating spaces that encourage healthy choices is an essential part of reducing the prevalence of obesity and nutrition-related chronic diseases. We offer real solutions for local communities — not a one-size-fits-all approach. Learn more about the LSU AgCenter Healthy Communities initiative in this edition or visit our website at www.LSUAgCenter.com/HealthyCommunities.

Denise Holston, a registered dietitian and an associate professor in the AgCenter School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, leads the Healthy Communities initiative.

This article appeared in the winter 2025 issue of Louisiana Agriculture.

Nutrition agents work to help communities grow fresh food while also enhancing food pantries, farmers markets, local food retailers, bike and pedestrian infrastructure, and other community spaces like parks and libraries. Photo by Layne Langley