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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Physical activity

Human-Centered Participatory Co-Design with Children and Adults for a Prototype Lifestyle Intervention and Implementation Strategy in a Rural Middle School
Describes the co-design of a physical activity intervention by children, parents, and teachers in Indiana middle schools. Analyzes participant priorities including autonomy, relationship-building, activity choice, and more. Identifies strategies for effective intervention design, and discusses the significance of physical activity interventions for rural areas.
Author(s): Janette M. Watkins, Sarah J. Greeven, Kathleen N. Heeter, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 24, 845
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
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Urban–Rural Differences in School Districts' Local Wellness Policies and Policy Implementation Environments
Compares urban and rural local wellness policies (LWPs) and implementation environments of 117 Texas school districts. Provides data on LWP goals, including nutrition and physical activity goals, as well as availability of district wellness plans, LWP assessments, and school health advisory councils. Highlights implications for rural school policy and student health.
Author(s): Swati Iyer, Timothy J. Walker, Alexandra L. MacMillan Uribe, et al.
Citation: Nutrients, 16(6), 801
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
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Nutritional Guidance on Fitness Centers' Websites in Illinois: An Automated Content Analysis
Examines the nutritional content on fitness websites in Illinois as well as metro versus nonmetro statistics related to body mass index (BMI), diet, physical activity, and more.
Author(s): Adee Athiyaman
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Activity among Mostly Older, Overweight Black Women Living in the Rural Alabama Black Belt
Examines the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity in 4 rural, predominantly Black Alabama communities from March 2020 to Aug 2021. Study participants were predominantly Black, overweight, older women with low levels of physical activity. Provides data on changes in physical activity levels during the pandemic, concerns influencing physical activity, leisure time physical activity habits, and demographic characteristics.
Author(s): Whitney N. Neal, Erica A. Schleicher, Kerri Baron, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(24), 7180
Date: 12/2023
Type: Document
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Impacts of Transit on Health in Rural and Small Urban Areas
Overview of how public transportation affects health in rural and small urban areas. Summarizes findings from a literature review that looked at public transportation as it relates to the social determinants of health, healthcare access, physical activity, social isolation, and mental health. Also reports results from a survey of rural older adults supplemented by data analysis looking at travel for healthcare, challenges related to public transportation, and the impacts of missed or delayed healthcare trips.
Author(s): Jeremy Mattson, Bright Quayson
Date: 12/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute
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The MN RIDE Pilot: Feasibility of a Synchronous, Remotely Delivered, Aerobic Exercise Training Program for Rural-Dwelling Adults with Subjective Cognitive Decline
Evaluates the feasibility of implementing an aerobic exercise (AEx) telerehabilitation program in rural Minnesota for middle-aged and older adults with subjective cognitive decline (SCD). Assesses participant attendance, intensity adherence, adverse events, and satisfaction with the program. Discusses the potential of utilizing telerehabilitation programs for rural patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD).
Author(s): Dereck L Salisbury, Wayne Warry, Joshua Fergen, et al.
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 23(4), 8351
Date: 12/2023
Type: Document
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Support for Healthy Eating and Active Living in Rural Communities: Insights from a National Survey of Local Governments
Analyzes local government policies that support wellness, healthy eating, and physical activity in metro versus nonmetro areas. Utilizes Community Based Survey of Supports for Healthy Eating and Active Living (CBS HEAL) data to compare government structures, master plans, built environment policies, transit options, supportive food access policies, and more.
Author(s): Adee Athiyaman
Date: 12/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
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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
Type: Document
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See Me, Hear Me, Know Me: Perspectives on Diet and Physical Activity Influences among Teens Living in Rural Texas Communities
Surveyed 40 pairs of rural Texas parents and teens to understand how teens perceive living in a rural community impacts diet and exercise choices. Discusses the role of the family, nutrition at home, access to healthy foods, and more.
Author(s): Debbe Thompson, Julie Miranda, Chishinga Callender, et al
Citation: Nutrients, 15(21), 4695
Date: 11/2023
Type: Document
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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
Type: Document
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