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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Physical activity

Effect of an Additional 30 Minutes Spent Outdoors During Summer on Daily Steps and Individually Experienced Heat Index
Discusses rural-urban differences related to additional time spent outdoors and its impacts on physical activity and heat exposure. Reports on 89 urban and 88 rural residents in Alabama who are given an intervention of 30 minutes of additional outdoor time each day. Includes statistics and graphs detailing the rural versus urban intervention results.
Author(s): Suwei Wang, Molly B. Richardson, Connor Y.H. Wu, Benjamin F. Zaitchik, Julia M. Gohlke
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(20), 7558
Date: 10/2020
Type: Document
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Rural/Urban Differences in Children's Health
Examines differences in child health conditions by rural and urban residency. Explores differences in mental and behavioral health, weight status and physical activity, adverse childhood experiences, and access to healthcare.
Date: 10/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Maternal and Child Health Bureau
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Combining Data From Assessments of Leisure, Occupational, Household, and Transportation Physical Activity Among US Adults, NHANES 2011-2016
Uses National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data to assess physical activity in the U.S. Examines adult engagement in leisure-, occupational-, household-, and transportation- related activities from 2011-2016. Features rural and urban comparisons.
Author(s): Geoffrey P. Whitfield, Emily N. Ussery, Susan A. Carlson
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 17
Date: 10/2020
Type: Document
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Stress and Physical Activity in Rural Cancer Survivors: The Moderating Role of Social Support
Details a study on the relationship between social support, leisure-time physical activity, and psychological distress among rural and urban cancer survivors. Breaks down data by age, gender, and cancer type, among other measures.
Author(s): Scherezade K. Mama, Nishat Bhuiyan, Joshua Smyth, Kathryn H. Schmitz
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 36(4), 543-548
Date: 09/2020
Type: Document
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Cross-Sectional Associations Between the Neighborhood Built Environment and Physical Activity in a Rural Setting: The Bogalusa Heart Study
Presents findings from the Bogalusa Heart Study of physical activity for rural Bogalusa, Louisiana residents, examining associations between environmental features and physical activity.
Author(s): Jeanette Gustat, Christopher E. Anderson, Queendaleen C. Chukwurah, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 20, 1426
Date: 09/2020
Type: Document
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The Faith, Activity, and Nutrition (FAN) Dissemination and Implementation Study: 24-Month Organizational Maintenance in a Countywide Initiative
Examines the effectiveness of the initial phase of the Faith, Activity, and Nutrition (FAN) program, an evidence-based program designed to help churches develop policy, methods, and environmental change to support physical activity and health eating within their congregation. Study was implemented in rural, medically underserved Fairfield County, South Carolina with 59 churches participating. Members were predominantly Black/African American and affiliated with the Baptist denomination.
Author(s): Sara Wilcox, Ruth P. Saunders, Danielle Jake-Schoffman, Brent Hutto
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 8, 171
Date: 05/2020
Type: Document
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The High Obesity Program: Overview of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Cooperative Extension Services Efforts to Address Obesity
Describes the implementation of the High Obesity Program, a program designed to expand access to healthy foods, increase opportunities for physical activity, and reduce obesity and related diseases in high-risk and predominantly rural communities. Efforts were supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Cooperative Extension Service (CES).
Author(s): Ashleigh L. Murriel, Sahra Kahin, Anu Pejavara, Terrence O'Toole
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 17
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
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CDC High Obesity Program Collection
Special publication featuring articles from the Preventing Chronic Disease journal. Includes articles highlighting programs that address the high rates of obesity in rural communities across the U.S. Each study evaluates the methods and efficacy of the interventions and discusses their implications on public health more broadly.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 17
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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The High Obesity Program: A Collaboration Between Public Health and Cooperative Extension Services to Address Obesity
Describes the activities of Programs to Reduce Obesity in High Obesity Areas, also known as High Obesity Program (HOP), developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in partnership with land grant universities and local Cooperative Extension Offices. HOP was designed to implement evidence-based strategies to improve physical activity and nutrition in mostly rural communities with high rates of obesity to reduce obesity and prevent or control diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Author(s): Sahra Kahin, Ashleigh Murriel, Anu Pejavara, Terrence O'Toole, Ruth Petersen
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 17
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
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Evaluation of Senior Community Centers in Rural and Urban Pennsylvania
Report evaluates Pennsylvania's senior community centers in both rural and urban areas. Details some of the services offered by senior community centers and features county level data.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Janet Ann Melnick, Morgan Silfies, Heather Shanks-McElroy, Emily McElroy
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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