This website is being reviewed for updates. Some information is offline. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Obesity and weight control

The State of Obesity: Creating Pathways to a Healthier America Livestream Event
A recorded livestream event that focuses on The State of Obesity 2023: Better Policies for a Healthier America report. Discusses federal policy and strategy to address nutrition and wellness, diet-related disease, and obesity prevention programs. Includes information specific to rural areas. Transcript available under video description.
Author(s): Will McIntee, James "Jim" Jones, Caree Cotwright, et al.
Date: 10/2023
Sponsoring organization: Trust for America's Health
view details
Effect of a Telephone-Based Lifestyle Intervention on Weight, Body Composition, and Metabolic Biomarkers in Rural Ohio: Results from a Randomized Pilot Study
Examines the effectiveness of a 15-week telephone counseling intervention encouraging healthy eating and physical activity among 27 rural Ohio adults with overweight or obesity. Provides data on participants' weight, body composition, fasting blood lipids, and inflammatory biomarkers after 15 weeks of intervention. Highlights findings related to weight and cholesterol management, and discusses rural health disparities and access barriers.
Author(s): Xiaochen Zhang, Victoria R. DeScenza, Zachary L. Chaplow, et al.
Citation: Nutrients, 15(18), 3998
Date: 09/2023
view details
Adult Obesity in Rural America: An Examination of the Relationships Between Obesity Prevalence, Sociodemographic Factors, Access to Care, and Differences Between Rural and Urban Counties
Provides an overview of obesity prevalence in rural versus urban counties. Analyzes factors related to obesity such as education, income, physical inactivity, healthcare workforce, and food, internet, and healthcare access. Includes case studies and data related to obesity prevalence in Texas and Arkansas.
Additional links: Appendix, Executive Summary
Date: 09/2023
Sponsoring organization: NORC at the University of Chicago
view details
Racial Disparities in Obesity‐Related Cardiovascular Mortality in the United States: Temporal Trends From 1999 to 2020
Examines disparities in obesity-related cardiovascular mortality in U.S. citizens from 1999 to 2020. Utilizes the Multiple Cause of Death database to analyze mortality trends by race, sex, age, and rural versus urban residence.
Author(s): Zahra Raisi‐Estabragh, Ofer Kobo, Jennifer H. Mieres, et al.
Citation: Journal of the American Heart Association, 12(18)
Date: 09/2023
view details
The State of Our Health: A Statewide Health Assessment of Pennsylvania, August 2023 Update
Identifies specific health challenges in Pennsylvania and indicates where the largest improvements can be made. Features sections on social determinants of health, access to care, substance use, chronic diseases, mental health, maternal and infant health, injury and violence prevention, infectious diseases and immunization, Health Professional Shortage Areas, and environmental health. Includes references to rural throughout.
Date: 08/2023
Sponsoring organization: Pennsylvania Department of Health
view details
Health Equity in Connecticut 2023
Report and data graphics for key social drivers of health and health outcomes in Connecticut. Features statistics on topics including health risks and age-adjusted mortality, with breakdowns by rural or suburban areas and for several urban cities.
Author(s): Kelly Davila, Mark Abraham, Camille Seaberry
Date: 08/2023
Sponsoring organization: DataHaven
view details
Sleep Time, Physical Activity, and Screen Time among Montana American Indian Youth
Presents a study on the correlation between sleep, physical activity, and screen time among American Indian youth in Montana. Breaks down data by sex, grade, and BMI, among other measures.
Author(s): Vernon Grant, Francine C. Gachupin
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(17), 6658
Date: 08/2023
view details
Teacher and Caregiver Perspectives on Water Is K'é: An Early Child Education Program to Promote Healthy Beverages among Navajo Children
Presents a study exploring the efficacy of the Water is K'é pilot program which is designed to increase water consumption among young children in the Navajo Nation. Evaluation draws on the perspective of teachers and caregivers who were interviewed about their children's water consumption.
Author(s): Carmella B. Kahn, Brianna John, Sonya S. Shin, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(17), 6696
Date: 08/2023
view details
Respecting Tribal Voices in the Development of a Gestational Diabetes Risk Reduction Preconception Counseling Program for American Indian/Alaska Native Adolescent Females: A Qualitative Study
Investigates the relationship among obesity, pregnancy, and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and the impact on American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) adolescents. Provides feedback from AI/AN girls at-risk for GDM and their mothers regarding culturally relevant preconception counseling interventions.
Author(s): Kelly R. Moore, Sarah A. Stotz, Martha Ann Terry, et al.
Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 23, 552
Date: 08/2023
view details
Changes in Physical Inactivity Among US Adults Overall and by Sociodemographic Characteristics, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2020 Versus 2018
Analyzes changes in physical activity in U.S. adults during the COVID-19 pandemic by comparing 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data to 2018 and 2016 data. Focuses on prevalence of physical inactivity according to age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, income, and rural versus urban geographic location.
Author(s): Miriam E. Van Dyke, Tiffany J. Chen, Jasmine Y. Nakayama, Latetia V. Moore, Geoffrey P. Whitfield
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 20
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
view details