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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Obesity and weight control

Childhood Obesity Prevention in Rural Settings: Background, Rationale, and Study Design of '4-Health,' a Parent-only Intervention
Summarizes the development of a parent-centered obesity intervention program, implementation of a 4-Health Educational program for children currently active in 4-H Youth Development programs, and evaluation of the outcome measures in children and parents of rural Montana.
Author(s): Wesley C. Lynch, Jill Martz, Galen Eldridge, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 12, 255
Date: 2012
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Prevalence of Obesity Among Adults From Rural and Urban Areas of the United States: Findings From NHANES (2005–2008)
Examines rural and urban obesity rates using measured height and weight to calculate body mass index, rather than self-reported obesity rates. Also looks at demographics, diet, and physical activity as they relate to obesity for rural and urban residents. Uses data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
Author(s): Christie A. Befort, Niaman Nazir, Michael G. Perri
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 28(4), 392-397
Date: 2012
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A Community-Driven Approach to Identifying "Winnable" Policies Using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Common Community Measures for Obesity Prevention
Describes a community-based participatory research approach used in two rural North Carolina counties to select obesity prevention strategies, based on the Common Community Measures for Obesity Prevention (COCOMO). Discusses how COCOMO might be adapted for use in rural communities.
Author(s): Stephanie B. Jilcott Pitts, Lauren M. Whetstone, Jean R. Wilkerson, Tosha W. Smith, Alice S. Ammerman
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 9
Date: 2012
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Healthy-Lifestyle Behaviors Associated With Overweight and Obesity in US Rural Children
Describes the association between healthy lifestyle behaviors and the prevalence of overweight and obese ethnically and/or racially diverse, rural school-aged children in California, Kentucky, Mississippi, and South Carolina. Examines the following healthy lifestyle behaviors: improving diet quality, obtaining adequate sleep, limiting screen-time viewing, and consulting a physician about a child's weight.
Author(s): Alison Tovar, Kenneth Chui, Raymond R Hyatt, et al.
Citation: BMC Pediatrics, 12, 102
Date: 2012
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Feasibility of an Evidence-Based Weight Loss Intervention for a Faith-Based, Rural, African American Population
Discusses a culturally appropriate program created by a coalition of academic and community partners and geared toward adults in three African American churches in the Arkansas Lower Mississippi Delta. Measured effectiveness of recruitment strategies, program retention, implementation ease, participant outcomes, and program satisfaction.
Author(s): Karen Hye-cheon Kim Yeary, Carol E. Cornell, Jerome Turner, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 8(6)
Date: 11/2011
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Chronic Disease Risk Factors Among American Indian/Alaska Native Women of Reproductive Age
Discusses prevalence of chronic conditions and risk factors among a nationally representative sample of American Indian/Alaska Native women aged 18-44 years and makes comparisons with White women. Includes statistical breakdowns by weight status, physical activity level, cigarette use, and insurance coverage.
Author(s): Pamela Amparo, Sherry L. Farr, Patricia M. Dietz
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 8(6)
Date: 11/2011
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Associations of American Indian Children's Screen-Time Behavior With Parental Television Behavior, Parental Perceptions of Children's Screen Time, and Media-Related Resources in the Home
Examines obesity-influencing social and physical factors in the home environments of Oglala Lakota kindergarteners, and provides analysis related to the children's screen time behavior. Uses data from an obesity prevention intervention in elementary schools on or near the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, and includes statistical breakdowns by sex, weight status, amount of screen time, level of parental concern, and availability of various media devices.
Author(s): Daheia J. Barr-Anderson, Jayne A. Fulkerson, Mary Smyth, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 8(5)
Date: 09/2011
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The Health and Well-Being of Children in Rural Areas: A Portrait of the Nation 2007
Analyzes data from the National Survey of Children's Health to describe the health status, healthcare utilization, activities, and family and community environments experienced by children in rural and urban areas.
Date: 09/2011
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Development and Implementation of a Food System Intervention to Prevent Childhood Obesity in Rural Hawai'i
Report on the Healthy Foods Hawaii intervention trial in four rural communities, which aimed to improve the diets of children and decrease obesity rates. Includes information about the impacts of access to transportation, education, and healthy foods.
Author(s): Rachel Novotny, Vinutha Vijayadeva, Vicky Ramirez, et al.
Citation: Hawaii Medical Journal, 70(7 suppl 1), 42-46
Date: 07/2011
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Risks to Health Among American Indian/Alaska Native High School Students in the United States
Examines leading health risks among nationally representative sample of American Indian/Alaska Native high school students and compares rates to other racial/ethnic groups. Includes statistical breakdowns by frequency of cigarette and alcohol use, weight status, physical activity level, television and computer use, and healthy food intake.
Author(s): Sherry Everett Jones, Khadija Anderson, Richard Lowry, Holly Conner
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 8(4)
Date: 07/2011
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