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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Obesity and weight control

Use of Small-Area Estimates to Describe County-Level Geographic Variation in Prevalence of Extreme Obesity among US Adults
Study examining the variability in prevalence of extreme obesity at the county level, using small-area estimation to pinpoint specific areas of high and low prevalence. Uses data from the 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and the U.S. Census Bureau to create county-level estimates for adults over 18 years of age. Discusses contrasting pictures of extreme obesity at a broad state level and at the county level, highlighting ranges of prevalence in select states and noting some areas of rural prevalence.
Author(s): Carrie W. Mills, Glen Johnson, Terry T. K. Huang, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 3(5), e204289
Date: 05/2020
Type: Document
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Process of Identifying Measures and Data Elements for the HRSA School-Based Telehealth Network Grant Program
Research brief describing measures used for a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) program designed to demonstrate how telehealth can expand access to and improve the quality of healthcare services offered in schools in rural, frontier, and underserved communities. Focuses on asthma, behavioral health, diabetes, healthy weight, and oral health. Features tables listing 27 measures and 40 data elements used for grantee evaluation.
Author(s): Marcia M. Ward, Kimberley Fox, Kimberly Merchant, et al.
Date: 05/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Telehealth Research Center
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Lack of In-Home Piped Water and Reported Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages among Adults in Rural Alaska
Examines associations between availability of in-home piped water service and consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in rural Alaska using data from 2013 and 2015. Assesses health outcomes such as obesity and self-reported poor health as related to SSBs. Includes statistics broken down by age, sex, household income, and education level, among other things.
Author(s): Emily Mosites, Sara Seeman, Andrea Fenaughty, et al.
Citation: Public Health Nutrition, 23(5), 861-868
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
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The High Obesity Program: Overview of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Cooperative Extension Services Efforts to Address Obesity
Describes the implementation of the High Obesity Program, a program designed to expand access to healthy foods, increase opportunities for physical activity, and reduce obesity and related diseases in high-risk and predominantly rural communities. Efforts were supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Cooperative Extension Service (CES).
Author(s): Ashleigh L. Murriel, Sahra Kahin, Anu Pejavara, Terrence O'Toole
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 17
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
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CDC High Obesity Program Collection
Special publication featuring articles from the Preventing Chronic Disease journal. Includes articles highlighting programs that address the high rates of obesity in rural communities across the U.S. Each study evaluates the methods and efficacy of the interventions and discusses their implications on public health more broadly.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 17
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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The High Obesity Program: A Collaboration Between Public Health and Cooperative Extension Services to Address Obesity
Describes the activities of Programs to Reduce Obesity in High Obesity Areas, also known as High Obesity Program (HOP), developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in partnership with land grant universities and local Cooperative Extension Offices. HOP was designed to implement evidence-based strategies to improve physical activity and nutrition in mostly rural communities with high rates of obesity to reduce obesity and prevent or control diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Author(s): Sahra Kahin, Ashleigh Murriel, Anu Pejavara, Terrence O'Toole, Ruth Petersen
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 17
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
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Healthy Smiles Healthy Growth 2018‐19: An Assessment of Oral Health Status, Beverage Consumption and Body Mass Index of Third-Grade Children in Illinois
Reports on oral health status, access to oral healthcare services, and beverage consumption among Illinois third graders in the 2018-19 school year. Table 11 includes urban and rural data on caries, oral health treatment needs, dental sealants, and overweight and obesity status.
Author(s): Mona Van Kanegan
Date: 02/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Department of Public Health
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Implementing Policy, Systems, and Environmental Change Through Community Coalitions and Extension Partnerships to Address Obesity in Rural Louisiana
Program evaluation brief describing obesity prevention programs implemented by community coalitions in 3 rural parishes with obesity rates of 40% or higher. Examines implications for public health.
Author(s): Denise Holston, Jessica Stroope, Melissa Cater, Michelle Kendall, Stephanie Broyles
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 17
Date: 02/2020
Type: Document
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Tanner Health System: Promoting Healthy Behaviors
Describes "Get Healthy, Eat Well," an initiative by Tanner Health System to promote healthy behaviors in its rural Georgia and Alabama communities. Provides an overview of the framework that guided the network of community partners, school and community interventions, and results of the program. Includes lessons learned and next steps.
Date: 01/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Addressing Obesity in Nebraska's Youth: Water Consumption in Schools
Report details an effort to promote water consumption as a replacement for sugary beverages in order to combat obesity in Nebraska schools. Highlights ways the state has increased access to water fountains and water bottle filling stations. Compares rates of obesity to other states for children and adults.
Author(s): Jon M. Bailey
Date: 01/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Affairs
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