January 1, 2009 — Sociologists found a direct relationship between obesity and duration and frequency of hospital stays. Researchers found that, on average, obese persons stayed one and a half days longer than those with normal weight. Sociologists attribute the connection to disease--46 percent of obese adults have high blood pressure. Obesity is also linked to an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke and other illnesses. The researchers also note that the longer a person has been obese, the more likely their hospital stay is lengthened. The numbers on our nation's scales are going up. A recent study puts Mississippi at the top of the list with the highest rate of adult obesity in the country. New research shows how extra weight is adding up to longer hospital stays. Annette...