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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Obesity and weight control

Tennessee Health Equity Plan, 2023-2028
Outlines strategies, timelines, and the steps to be taken to ensure equitable health services, meaningful partnerships, engaged communities, and a diverse, skilled workforce in Tennessee. Includes statistics on obesity with breakdowns by urban and rural areas, and maternal care and food deserts.
Date: 12/2023
Sponsoring organization: Tennessee Department of Health
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2023 - 2028 Oklahoma State Health Improvement Plan
Offers an overview of Oklahoma resident health indicators and improvement goals with specific focus on social determinants of health, mental health, substance use, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Notes statewide resources and assets for each indicator. Includes a health inequity map at the census tract level.
Date: 12/2023
Sponsoring organization: Oklahoma State Department of Health
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Developing a Culturally Relevant Physical Activity Guide for Alaska Native Head Start Students in Rural Alaska: The Got Neqpiaq? Study
Highlights a survey of Alaska Native Elders, teachers, and parents on cultural modifications to the Head Start preschool programs' physical playtime activities in tribal communities. Features a partnership between the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Head Start, and the Rural Alaska Community Action Program. Details lessons learned from survey results on developing culturally competent physical education programming for Alaska Native preschoolers.
Author(s): Teresa Hicks, Barb Stillwater, Kathryn Koller, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 82(1), 2287791
Date: 11/2023
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Pharmaceuticalization of Obesity: Empirical Analysis of Metro and Nonmetro Populations, Cognitions and Behavior
Examines perceptions, attitudes, and behavioral intentions related to obesity medications in metro and nonmetro areas. Utilizes 2023 data from Kaiser Family Foundation's Health Tracking Poll to analyze weight loss drug prescriptions across demographic groups.
Author(s): Adee Athiyaman
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
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Active Iowa: Increasing Physical Activity in Iowa Communities Program - Manual of Implementation
Toolkit details the Active Iowa program and provides information and tools for implementing and evaluating similar programs aimed at promoting active lifestyles in rural communities. Presents the structure of Active Iowa and gives step-by-step guidance on planning and implementation. Features supplemental training videos and other programmatic materials on the toolkit landing page.
Additional links: Landing Page, Supplemental Training Videos
Author(s): Barbara Baquero, Natoshia M. Askelson, Edith Parker, et al.
Date: 10/2023
Sponsoring organization: University of Iowa Prevention Research Center for Rural Health
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Geographic Differences in the Magnitude of Black-White Disparities in Having Obesity
Compares the magnitude of Black-White obesity disparities in rural and urban areas with U.S. regional comparisons, utilizing data from the 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Assesses rural-urban status by county-level Index of Relative Rurality quintile.
Author(s): Steven A. Cohen, Monique J. Brown, Furong Xu, Caitlin C. Nash, Mary L. Greaney
Citation: Obesity Science & Practice, 9(5), 516-528
Date: 10/2023
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Rural–Urban Differences in Overweight and Obesity, Physical Activity, and Food Security Among Children and Adolescents
Examines the relationship among food security, physical activity, and overweight or obesity in rural and urban children. Analyzes 2019-2020 National Survey of Children's Health data of children aged 10-17 according to body mass index (BMI), physical activity, and food security, with data broken down by demographic variables and rural versus urban location.
Author(s): Elizabeth Crouch, Demetrius A. Abshire, Michael D. Wirth, Peiyin Hung, Gabriel A. Benavidez
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 20
Date: 10/2023
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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
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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
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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
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