It can start quietly — with joint pain that won’t go away, bloodwork that raises concerns or exhaustion that feels harder to shake with each passing year. For hundreds of thousands of Mississippians, those early signs often lead to a much larger diagnosis tied to obesity and chronic disease.

Across the state, about 1.2 million adults — roughly 40 percent of the population — are classified as obese. Projections show that number could climb to 57 percent by 2030. Health officials call it an epidemic, one linked to diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and rising infant mortality. And for many families, the crisis is shaped as much by access and affordability as it is by biology.

In this episode of Matter of Fact, we go behind the reporting of the Roy Howard Community Journalism Center’s story, “Mississippi expands obesity response as rates continue to climb.” Student reporter Makiya Jackson joins host Hilawe Tibebe to talk about what she learned while interviewing a young woman navigating weight loss, medical barriers and stigma — and how her personal story reflects a much broader public health challenge.

You’ll hear from Dr. Rasheedah Hall, a family physician treating obesity on the front lines in Hattiesburg, and from Mississippi State Health Officer Dr. Dan Edney, who explains how childhood obesity is shaping the state’s long-term health outlook. We also explore how new efforts — from Medicaid coverage for anti-obesity medications to interactive health education in schools — are part of a growing statewide response.

Plus, in our What Is True? segment, Media Literacy Coordinator Walker Scott breaks down how misinformation surrounding diets, weight-loss drugs and so-called “miracle cures” spreads online — and the tools listeners can use to separate credible medical guidance from misleading claims.

At its core, this episode isn’t just about weight. It’s about access, stigma, prevention and the systems that shape health long before someone ever steps into a doctor’s office.

To read the full story and explore related reporting, visit rhcjcnews.com.