2004 Memphis Behavioral Risk Factor Survey (MBRFS)

The Memphis and Shelby County Behavioral Risk Factors Survey (MBRFS), a joint project of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and the MidSouth Social Survey Program at the University of Memphis in Memphis, TN, was conducted for the first time in the spring of 2004. Included here is the Executive Summary, taken from the first of a series of reports which will be produced annually.

To view or download a PDF copy of the entire 2004 report, click here.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Since being branded as one of the unhealthiest cities in America, Memphis has decided to do something about it.  Beginning with gaining a better understanding of what is actually happening in Shelby County, through surveys like this, community-wide collaboratives such as the Healthy Memphis Common Table are working to combat the growing epidemics of obesity and diabetes.  Focused on increasing public awareness, promoting prevention and wider screening, improving disease management, and developing a business case for employers to support lifestyle changes by their employees, Memphis has begun the process of turning the tide to make Memphis a healthier place to live.

Key findings:

• Most Shelby County Residents are Overweight or Obese:

• About 2 out of every 3 adults in Memphis & Shelby County are overweight or obese, whether black, white, male, female, young or old

• Men more likely to be overweight, and women more likely to be extremely obese

• Middle-aged Memphians more likely to be obese or extremely obese

• Blacks more likely than whites to have a higher BMI.

• Many Memphis Adults already have Serious Weight-Related Diseases:

• Almost 1 in 10 Memphians have diabetes, higher than the national average

• 1 in 3 adults have high blood pressure, higher than the national average

• Most Memphis Adults do not know their Body Mass Index (BMI):

• 84.7% of do not know their BMI
• 69.3% say they have never had their BMI checked

• Only 3% of those who thought they knew their BMI, actually knew their BMI

• Most Overweight and Obese Memphians are Trying to Lose Weight:

• 35-49 year-olds, women, and those with higher BMIs are more likely to be trying to lose weight
• Blacks in Memphis are just as likely as whites to be trying to lose weight

• The most common barriers to exercising were:

• Place to exercise (40%) 

• Personal health reasons (35.2%)

• Safety concerns (18%), lack of money (16.8%) and lack of time (16.2%)