The rate of obesity is highest in the southeast portion of the United States.

And in Lowndes County 29.2 percent of residents are overweight, which is higher than the Georgia state average of 28.7 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Nationwide, 26.1 percent of Americans are obese.

The South Health District says to combat this problem they have on-going programs in schools to promote healthy eating and exercise.