A bill introduced in the Mississippi Legislature at Jackson is taking serious aim at the Magnolia State’s high obesity rate. State House Bill 282 proposes that restaurants not serve obese patrons.

With more than 30% of adult Mississippians said to be obese, such a law would have an obvious economic impact on the state. But would it counteract the $444 million annually obesity is reported to cost the Mississippi Medicare and Medicaid program?

Authored by Rep. W. T. Mayhall, Jr., a former pharmaceutical salesman, the bill is described as:
“An act to prohibit certain food establishments from serving food to any person who is obese, based on criteria prescribed by the state department of health; to direct the department to prepare written materials that describe and explain the criteria for determining whether a person is obese and to provide those materials to the food establishments; to direct the department to monitor the food establishments for compliance with the provisions of this act; and for related purposes.”

One of the bill’s co-sponsors, Rep. John Read, has also worked in pharmaceutical sales. Read says he’s trying to bring attention to his state’s number one health problem.

While the Coalition of Fat Rights Activists applauds the attempt at promoting health and wellness, the Chicago-based organization maintains it’s the wrong approach. “We as Americans have made substantial progress in race and gender relations. Unfortunately, our progress hasn’t extended to our country’s uneasy relationship with fat people,” said COFRA president Paul McAleer, in a statement.

The bill is currently being examined by the Mississippi Legislature’s Public Health and Human Services Committee.