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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Obesity and weight control

Black/White Disparities in Obesity Widen with Increasing Rurality: Evidence from a National Survey
Analyzes Black/White disparities in obesity, diabetes, and lack of physical activity, with breakdowns by county-level rurality quintile. Utilizes data from the 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
Author(s): Steven A. Cohen, Caitlin C. Nash, Erin N. Byrne, Lauren E. Mitchell, Mary L. Greaney
Citation: Health Equity, 6(1), 178-188
Date: 03/2022
Type: Document
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The State of Our Health: A Statewide Health Assessment of Pennsylvania
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: 03/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Pennsylvania Department of Health
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Rates and Trends of Childhood Overweight/Obesity in the United States and South Carolina
A fact sheet that reports on the prevalence of childhood overweight/obesity by U.S. region and by metropolitan, micropolitan, and rural areas in the U.S. as well as the East South Central region of the U.S. Includes county-level prevalence of childhood overweight/obesity in South Carolina.
Date: 03/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural and Minority Health Research Center (formerly the South Carolina Rural Health Research Center)
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The Impact of a Grocery Store Closure in One Rural Highly Obese Appalachian Community on Shopping Behavior and Dietary Intake
Results of telephone surveys of people in Martin County, Kentucky, a highly obese community in which healthy food accessibility is scarce and which experienced the closure of a local grocery store in January 2020. Includes demographics for the participants, and compares their food shopping habits at the time of the initial contact with those at the time of a follow-up survey a year later.
Author(s): Rachel Gillespie, Emily DeWitt, Stacey Slone, Kathryn Cardarelli, Alison Gustafson
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(6), 3506
Date: 03/2022
Type: Document
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Weight Outcomes of NU-HOME: A Randomized Controlled Trial to Prevent Obesity among Rural Children
Reports on impacts of the NU-HOME collaborative for prevention of childhood obesity in rural children, based on data from 114 parent-child pairs in Minnesota. Explores demographic characteristics, food insecurity, and quality of meals of the participants, among other data points. Discusses the effect of family-level interventions on overweight/obesity status, body mass index (BMI), and percent body fat.
Author(s): Jayne A. Fulkerson, Melissa Horning, Daheia J. Barr-Anderson, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 19, 29
Date: 03/2022
Type: Document
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Rural Children's Health and Health Care
Examines differences in child health conditions by rural and urban residency. Explores differences in use of preventative dental and medical services by poverty rate, adverse childhood experiences, overweight and obesity, food insecurity, and physical activity.
Date: 02/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Maternal and Child Health Bureau
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A Profile of Migrant Health: 2020 Uniform Data System Analysis
Analyzes the demographic, socioeconomic, and health characteristics of migrants from community and migrant health centers that receive funding through the U.S. Public Health Service Act, Section 330. Discusses common conditions faced by migrants, including COVID-19.
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Farmworker Health
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Health-Related Behavioral Risk Factors and Obesity Among American Indians and Alaska Natives of the United States: Assessing Variations by Indian Health Service Region
Study examining behavioral risk factors and obesity in American Indian and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) based on 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data. Investigates rates of current cigarette smoking, heavy drinking, binge drinking, and physical activity, analyzing disparities in AI/AN and non-Hispanic White populations.
Author(s): Guixiang Zhao, Jason Hsia, Alexander Vigo-Valentín, William S. Garvin, Machell Town
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 19, 210298
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
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Chronic Diseases and Associated Risk Factors Among Adults in Puerto Rico After Hurricane Maria
Highlights a study on the prevalence of chronic diseases in Puerto Rico before Hurricane Maria and the level of support available to patients before and after the storm. Bases conclusions on 2 studies conducted in 2015 and 2019. Breaks down data by participant characteristics, such as age, employment, and rurality of residence, among other measures.
Author(s): Josiemer Mattei, Martha Tamez, June O'Neill, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 5(1), e2139986
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
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2022 Mississippi State Health Improvement Plan
Describes a plan for health improvement in Mississippi for the period 2022-2026, and includes an overview of current public health challenges. Presents objectives associated with reducing health disparities and addressing social determinants of health, including obesity reduction and improved access to preventative care. Identifies affected groups, including people in rural areas.
Date: 2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Mississippi State Department of Health, Mississippi State Health Assessment and Improvement Committee (SHAIC)
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