Nutrition: Mighty Mississippi, State with Highest Obesity Rate in the U.S., Refuses to 'Micro-Regulate Citizens' Dietary Decisions'

The Mighty Mississippi, a state known for its history of lynching, and which also pleasantly holds the record for having the highest obesity rate, has decided to ban its cities and counties from trying to stop restaurants from selling super-sized soft drinks or requiring them to post nutritional information about meals.

According to Reuters, a new law signed by their governor, Phil Bryant, which prohibits municipalities from banning toys in fast-food meals, pushed back what might have been a chance to make some healthy distinctions for the state. His decision came just a week after a judge blocked an effort by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to prohibit vending machines, movie theaters and retailers from selling single-serving sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces (473 ml), an effort that was intended to tackle the public health problems caused by rising rates of obesity.

"It is simply not the role of government to micro-regulate citizens' dietary decisions," Bryant said in a statement after signing the measure. "The responsibility for one's personal health depends on individual choices about a proper diet and appropriate exercise."

The state has the highest rate of obesity of any U.S. state at 34.9 percent. Its residents typically weight 30 pounds or more above the ideal weight, according to the data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, and it is unlikely that the state will tackle the obesity issue any time soon, according to Sandra Shelson, the executive director of the Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi.

She also noted that Mississippi has no statewide regulations on smoking in public places, though several dozen local municipalities have passed such laws.

"It's never a good idea to take away the control of some of the local governments," Shelson said. "If you have a community that wants to make itself healthier, the state shouldn't be in the business of trying to preclude it from making changes that'd result in making it a healthier place."