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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Obesity and weight control

Rural-Urban Variation in Weight Loss Recommendations Among US Older Adults with Arthritis and Obesity
Analyzes 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data to identify rural and urban differences in the number of older adults with obesity and arthritis who received weight loss recommendations (WLR) from healthcare providers. Includes data from 5 states on WLR receipt according to age, sex, education, race/ethnicity, income, and population density.
Author(s): Mary Greaney, Steven Cohen, Christie Ward-Ritacco, Deborah Riebe
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(6), 946
Date: 03/2019
Type: Document
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Predictors of Overweight and Obesity in American Indian Families with Young Children
Highlights as study exploring the factors that predict obesity in American Indian families in rural and urban areas. Focuses on factors such as nutrition, physical activity, adult sleep, and child screen time.
Author(s): Alexandra K. Adams, Emily J. Tomayko, Kate Cronin, et al.
Citation: Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 51(2), 190-198
Date: 02/2019
Type: Document
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Mujeres Fuertes y Corazones Saludables, a Culturally Tailored Physical Activity and Nutrition Program for Rural Latinas: Findings from a Pilot Study
Provides an overview of a pilot study of a culturally-tailored group-based nutrition education and physical activity program for rural Latinas in Washington state. Discusses the challenges of recruiting and retaining rural Latinas in a lifestyle program, including limited individual resources, changing contact information, and lack of trust.
Author(s): Rebecca A. Seguin, Cynthia K. Perry, Emma Solanki, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(4), 630
Date: 02/2019
Type: Document
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Health Equity in New Mexico: 13th Edition
Provides information about the health status of various population groups throughout New Mexico and educates readers on the state's health equity issues. Designed to help policymakers and other stakeholders implement strategies that reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes for all New Mexicans. Includes information and statistics specific to New Mexico's rural regions.
Date: 01/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: New Mexico Department of Health
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Rural-Urban Differences in Baseline Dietary Intake and Physical Activity Levels of Adolescents
Analyzes data on dietary intake and physical activity for 940 9th and 10th graders in 8 high schools in the southwestern U.S. from 2014-2017. Features demographic statistics including breakdowns by population density of less than and greater than 1,000 people per square mile.
Author(s): Renee Euler, Elizabeth Yakes Jimenez, Sarah Sanders, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 16
Date: 01/2019
Type: Document
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Comparison of US County-Level Public Health Performance Rankings With County Cluster and National Rankings: Assessment Based on Prevalence Rates of Smoking and Obesity and Motor Vehicle Crash Death Rates
Compares county-level percentile rankings on outcomes of smoking, motor vehicle crash deaths, and obesity, using demographic and health data from the 2014 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and the 2016 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation County Health Rankings data set. Features a map of sociodemographic-based county clusters and a table showing cluster variance and average percentile change, with breakdowns including 4 categories of rural status.
Author(s): Megan Wallace, Joshua M. Sharfstein, Joshua Kaminsky, Justin Lessler
Citation: JAMA Network Open 2(1)
Date: 01/2019
Type: Document
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Access to Care among Rural Veterans
A brief that discusses health disparities and access challenges for rural veterans. Includes chart showing rural versus urban prevalence of chronic health conditions.
Date: 2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Veterans Health Administration
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Objectively Measured Pediatric Obesity Prevalence Using the OneFlorida Clinical Research Consortium
Results of a study measuring the prevalence of obesity among Florida children ages 2-19, using electronic health records. Features demographics and statistics of rates of obesity and severe obesity, with breakdowns by metropolitan, micropolitan, and rural location.
Author(s): Dominick J. Lemas, Michelle I. Cardel, Stephanie L. Fillip, et al.
Citation: Obesity Research & Clinical Practice, 13(1), 12-15
Date: 2019
Type: Document
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Association Between the Food and Physical Activity Environment, Obesity, and Cardiovascular Health Across Maine Counties
Study examining associations between demographic and environmental factors, such as food availability and access to fitness facilities, and prevalence of obesity and poor cardiovascular health (CVH) in the predominantly rural state of Maine. Includes relationships between individual characteristics, like age and income, and risk factors for poor CVH, including smoking, physical inactivity, obesity, poor diet, and diabetes.
Author(s): Allison Briggs, Adam Black, F. Lee Lucas, Andrea Siewers, Kathleen Fairfield
Citation: BMC Public Health, 19(1), 374
Date: 2019
Type: Document
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The Relationship Between Rural Setting and Health: Factors that Influence Individuals With or at Risk of CVD - A Summary of the Literature
Describes current literature on rural challenges and opportunities, including cardiovascular risk due to obesity, lack of access to healthcare, workforce shortages, importance of paramedics and community health workers, telehealth and broadband, and impact of the substance use disorder epidemic. Intended to help stakeholders understand the causes of health disparities and to support action to improve the health of rural communities.
Date: 2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Heart Association
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