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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Physical activity

Development of a National Childhood Obesogenic Environment Index in the United States: Differences by Region and Rurality
Details the formation of a childhood obesogenic environment index (COEI), which was used to identify rural, urban, and other geographic differences in environmental factors associated with obesity. Variables used to calculate COEI scores include availability of fast-food restaurants, farmers markets, grocery stores, and other related facilities; access to exercise opportunities; violent crime; walkability; and more. Includes county-level data on COEI scores across the U.S.
Author(s): Andrew Kaczynski, Jan Eberth, Ellen Stowe, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 17(83)
Date: 2020
Type: Document
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A Healthy Attitude: Rural Leaders in TN County Organize to Address Well-Being in Appalachia
Describes ways in which local leaders in Grundy County, Tennessee implemented programs to promote physical activity, support children and families, increase access to philanthropic resources, and establish a working relationship with a nearby university.
Author(s): Tim Marema, Erin Bouldin
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 2(1), 60-64
Date: 2020
Type: Document
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Rural Physical Activity Interventions in the United States: A Systematic Review and RE-AIM Evaluation
Using the Reach, Efficacy, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework, examines the validity and design of rural physical activity intervention studies. Analyzes 40 reports that represent 29 studies of intervention programs. Discusses role of research in developing understandings of rurality, health, and behavior and the role of physical activity programs in addressing health disparities.
Author(s): Nishat Bhuiyan, Pritika Singh, Samantha M. Harden, Scherezade K. Mama
Citation: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 16, 140
Date: 12/2019
Type: Document
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Increasing Fruit and Vegetable Intake with Reservation and Off-Reservation Kindergarten Students in Nevada
Presents an overview of Veggies for Kids, a nutrition education program used with American Indian kindergarten students attending schools on reservations and kindergarten students attending schools next to a Nevada reservation. Examines the impact this program had on the students' knowledge of nutritional concepts and practicing healthy behaviors.
Author(s): Staci Emm, Jessica Harris, Judy Halterman, Sarah Chvilicek, Carol Bishop
Citation: Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 9(Suppl. 2), 215-224
Date: 11/2019
Type: Document
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Changes in Diet and Physical Activity Resulting from the Strong Hearts, Healthy Communities Randomized Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction Multilevel Intervention Trial
Examines the secondary outcomes resulting from participation in Strong Hearts, Healthy Communities (SHHC), a cardiovascular disease risk reduction intervention designed for women in rural communities, to determine changes in diet and physical activity. SHHC was a six month, community-randomized trial conducted in 16 rural communities in Montana and New York.
Author(s): Sara C. Folta, Lynn Paul, Miriam E. Nelson, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 16(1), 91
Date: 10/2019
Type: Document
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Community Coalitions for Change and the Policy, Systems, and Environment Model: A Community-Based Participatory Approach to Addressing Obesity in Rural Tennessee
Reports on a community-based participatory initiative, Community Coalitions for Change (C3), to address obesity in four rural Tennessee counties. Discusses program results related to health education, physical activity, and healthy food choices.
Author(s): Heather Sedges Wallace, Karen L. Franck, Cori L. Sweet
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 16
Date: 09/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Boosting Physical Activity in Rural Communities with Play Streets
Interview discussion about Play Streets, or the closing down of specific public places for physical activity and leisure, and how they can benefit rural communities that lack infrastructure for children to be active. Discusses public health benefits of Play Streets and the impact on addressing health disparities.
Date: 08/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: State of Childhood Obesity
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Collaborative Implementation of a Community-based Exercise Intervention with a Partnering Rural American Indian Community
Presents a study on an intervention to address obesity and type 2 diabetes among rural American Indian youth. Details an exercise-based intervention implemented via a partnership between the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
Author(s): Jennifer Q Chadwick, Mary A Tullier, Lisa Wolbert, et al.
Citation: Clinical Trials, 16(4), 391-398
Date: 08/2019
Type: Document
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Improving Physical Activity and Outdoor Recreation in Rural Alabama Through Community Coalitions
Describes a community-based obesity reduction and prevention initiative which used community coalitions to implement research-based interventions. Interventions focused on improving opportunities for physical activity in 14 Alabama counties with high rates of obesity. Reports on the types of interventions implemented and their potential reach.
Author(s): William M. Carter, Wayde C. Morse, Ruth W. Brock, Barbara Struempler
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 16
Date: 08/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Development of a Childhood Obesogenic Environment Index
Findings brief describing the development of a childhood obesogenic environment index using 10 variables related to physical activity and healthy eating. Discusses differences in the childhood obesogenic environment index data by rurality and region of the United States.
Author(s): Andrew T. Kaczynski, Jan M. Eberth, Angela D. Liese, et al.
Date: 08/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural and Minority Health Research Center (formerly the South Carolina Rural Health Research Center)
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