Hey, you. Come here for a second. Put that doughnut down and listen up.

Every third one of you, statistically, is obese. It’s the silent killer that we often don’t talk about because it just wouldn’t be proper to bring it up in polite conversation.

But we need to do just that.

America as a nation is fat, but Mississippians are the fattest in the land.

It’s an epidemic.

But what’s most troubling is the increasing number of children counted among the obese. Add lots of sugary foods and a lack of physical exercise and little Timmy’s once-cute “baby fat” gets worse and worse.

And in an instance, in a flash of a video game’s bonus level, another generation of obese Mississippians is born.

We like to blame things like our busy lifestyles or our Southern heritage in which food — fat-filled and sweet food — is a part of our lives.

But it’s something we can fix.

Experts tell us that simple things can make a huge difference.

Eating smaller portions and eating more fruits and vegetables and less processed foods are great ways to start. Combine that with just walking several days a week and the pounds will slowly begin melting away.

But don’t do it for us. Make the change in your lifestyle and eating habits for yourself and the people around you who love you.

And there’s no better time to start than right now.