At a glance: Oklahomans' health ranks low in national averages

But Bourdeau, a clinical associate professor of behavior at the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, said it's more than just teaching patients, it's about helping them adapt healthier lifestyles.

“If knowledge were enough, 40 percent of our population wouldn't be overweight or obese,”she said. “It's really shifting attitudes, getting people motivated and making people feel like they can do it, and that this is not just the way that they are.”

Patients often say that either it's too expensive to eat healthy, but staff members at the clinic have helped many patients find how to live a healthier lifestyle and stay within their means.

Bourdeau said sometimes it takes recognizing the excuses you are making for why you're not living a healthier lifestyle.

“Everybody can do it,” Bourdeau said. “Genes are not destiny. These are changes people can make with any amount of money they have. You don't have to be rich to be thin.”

Jaclyn Cosgrove, Staff Writer

Oklahoma cuisine

Oklahoma's official meal consists of:

• Barbecued pork

• Chicken-fried steak