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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Food security and nutrition

Dynamics of Economic Well-Being: Participation in Government Programs, 2009-2012: Who Gets Assistance?
Provides information on the characteristics and participation rates of people receiving benefits from Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), housing assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and general assistance. Tables in the appendices include metropolitan and non-metropolitan participation rates by program.
Author(s): Shelley K. Irving, Tracy A. Loveless
Date: 05/2015
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
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Healthy Options: A Community-Based Program to Address Food Insecurity
Presents the results of a study to better understand the experience of food insecurity in rural Adams County, Pennsylvania and to examine the impact of a community-based program developed to increase access to and consumption of local, healthy foods.
Author(s): Amy B. Dailey, Audrey Hess, Camille Horton, et al.
Citation: Journal of Prevention and Intervention in the Community, 43(2), 83-94
Date: 04/2015
Sponsoring organizations: Adams County Local Foods Network, Gettysburg College, Center for Public Service Research
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Rural Adults' Perspectives on School Food in a North Carolina County
Describes parents' and school staff's perceptions of school food in four rural North Carolina elementary schools, and their views about potential changes designed to enhance appeal of school meals containing more fruits and vegetables.
Author(s): Jayne K. Jeffries, Linden M. Thayer, Heidi Hennink-Kaminski, Seth M. Noar
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 12
Date: 04/2015
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Nutrition-Related Policy and Environmental Strategies to Prevent Obesity in Rural Communities: A Systematic Review of the Literature, 2002-2013
Summarizes findings from 29 rural studies of obesity prevention interventions using nutrition-related and environmental strategies. Includes interventions in school, tribal, farmers market, and other settings. Discusses common strategies for adapting and implementing these programs in rural communities.
Author(s): Larissa Calancie, Jennifer Leeman, Stephanie B. Jilcott Pitts, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 12
Date: 04/2015
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Disparities Persist in Nutrition Policies and Practices in Minnesota Secondary Schools
Examines school nutrition policies and practices by school characteristics in Minnesota secondary schools between 2008 and 2012. Compares school nutrition policies by rural versus urban/suburban location and across three main areas: the availability of low-nutrient, energy dense (LNED) items, strategies to engage students in healthy eating, and restrictions on advertising LNED products around the school.
Author(s): Caitlin Eicher Caspi, Cynthia Davey, Toben F. Nelson, et al.
Citation: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 115(3), 419-425
Date: 03/2015
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Lack of Healthy Food Options on Children's Menus of Restaurants in the Health-Disparate Dan River Region of Virginia and North Carolina, 2013
Community-based participatory research study describing the quality of food on children's menus in 137 restaurants located in three predominantly rural counties in Virginia and North Carolina, areas with high rates of diabetes and obesity among adults. Looked at healthy eating options for rural compared to urban locations and for areas that are predominantly Black, White, and mixed race.
Author(s): Jennie L. Hill, Nicole C. Olive, Clarice N. Waters, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 12
Date: 03/2015
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Evaluation of a Pilot Healthy Eating Intervention in Restaurants and Food Stores of a Rural Community: A Randomized Community Trial
Examines 2 rural Midwest U.S. communities, one community serving as the control and the other receiving the Waupaca Eating Smart (WES) intervention designed to improve the food environment and promote healthy eating in restaurants and supermarkets. Includes statistics on nutrition environment scores, customer satisfaction with food choice availability, and food purchase history for both before and after the intervention.
Author(s): Ana P. Martínez-Donate, Ann Josie Riggall, Amy M. Meinen, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 15, 136
Date: 02/2015
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Community Members' Input into Cancer Prevention Campaign Development and Experience Being Featured in the Campaign
Explores the partnership between cancer researchers and community members who worked together to develop county-specific media campaigns to improve colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates and fruit and vegetable consumption in Appalachian Ohio. Covers the experiences of community members featured in the media campaigns. Includes demographic information for both media campaigns, such as sex, education, personal history of CRC, and first-degree relative with CRC.
Author(s): Mira L. Katz, Brittney Keller, Cathy M. Tatum, et al.
Citation: Progress in Community Health Partnerships, 9(2), 149-156
Date: 2015
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Rural Healthy People 2020: A Companion Document to Healthy People 2020, Volume 1
Provides a rural focus for the Healthy People 2020 priorities. Includes overviews of the top 10 rural health priority areas identified by rural stakeholders. (Volume 2 discusses priorities 11-20.) Topics addressed include: health insurance, primary care, emergency services, nutrition and weight status, diabetes, mental health, substance abuse, heart disease and stroke, physical activity, older adults, maternal and child health, and tobacco use. Each overview includes reviews of the relevant literature and models that rural communities can use to address the issues. Document is available for free download, after providing brief information about intended use.
Author(s): Jane N. Bolin, Gail Bellamy, Alva O. Ferdinand, Bita Kash, Janet W. Helduser
Date: 2015
Sponsoring organization: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
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A Community-Based, Culturally Relevant Intervention to Promote Healthy Eating and Physical Activity among Middle-Aged African American Women in Rural Alabama: Findings from a Group Randomized Controlled Trial
Examines a community-based, culturally relevant intervention to promote healthy eating and physical activity among African American women between the ages of 45-65 living in rural Alabama. Includes study participant demographic data at the starting baseline and a 24 month follow up. Covers healthy lifestyle data at the starting baseline, 12 month, and 24 month follow up for dietary and physical activity measures.
Author(s): Isabel C. Scarinci, Artisha Moore, Theresa Wynn, et al.
Citation: Preventive Medicine, 69, 13-20
Date: 12/2014
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