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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Physical activity

Physical Activity Among Rural Men: Barriers and Preferences
Examines the perceptions of physical activity interventions among rural men. Analyzes survey data from 447 participants according to barriers and interest related to physical activity and preferred intervention techniques, with results broken down by demographics and geographic region.
Author(s): Jacob Gallagher, Emine O. Bayman, Lisa A. Cadmus-Bertram, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 20
Date: 10/2023
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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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Public Transit Stop Density Is Associated With Walking for Exercise Among a National Sample of Older Adults
Examines the relationship between density of neighborhood public transit stops and walking for exercise among older adults. Analyzes 2018 neighborhood data and self-reported exercise along with sociodemographic characteristics, economic status, and disability status. Includes discussion about built environment and metro versus nonmetro comparisons.
Author(s): Erica Twardzik, Jason R. Falvey, Philippa J. Clarke, Vicki A. Freedman, Jennifer A. Schrack
Citation: BMC Geriatrics, 23, 596
Date: 09/2023
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Sleep Time, Physical Activity, and Screen Time among Montana American Indian Youth
Presents a study on the correlation between sleep, physical activity, and screen time among American Indian youth in Montana. Breaks down data by sex, grade, and BMI, among other measures.
Author(s): Vernon Grant, Francine C. Gachupin
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(17), 6658
Date: 08/2023
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Physical Activity–Friendly Policies and Community Design Features in the US, 2014 and 2021
Examines policy and community design changes from 2014 to 2021 that support physical activity infrastructure. Focuses on designs and policies such as sidewalk width, lighting, bicycle space, and more. Includes discussions about infrastructure and policy specific to rural areas.
Author(s): Bryant J. Webber, Geoffrey P. Whitfield, Latetia V. Moore, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 20
Date: 08/2023
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A Descriptive Study of Covid-Era Movers to the Northern Forest Region
Discusses citizen relocation to the northern forest region, consisting of counties in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. Describes motivations for relocation during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as opportunities for outdoor recreation and access to rural spaces.
Author(s): Jess Carson, Sarah Boege, Libby Schwaner
Date: 08/2023
Sponsoring organization: Carsey School of Public Policy
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Contextualizing Physical Activity in Rural Adults: Do Relationships Between Income Inequality, Neighborhood Environments, and Physical Activity Exist?
Examines a selection of rural southern counties to see how social determinants of health (SDOH) are related to physical activity. Utilizes data from an August 2020-March 2021 telephone survey to analyze physical activity in 334 respondents by sex, race, income, obesity status, marriage status, as well as rates of income inequality, social cohesion, and walkability of community.
Author(s): Samuel L. K. Baxter, Giselle Corbie, Sarah F. Griffin
Citation: Health Services Research, 58(S2), 238-247
Date: 08/2023
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An Active Roadmap: Best Practices in Rural Mobility
Provides a literature review and case studies related to the ways rural communities encourage health-focused infrastructure, multimodal transportation, economic development, and environmentally safe practices. Describes the typology and demographics of rural areas and discusses how transportation is linked to wellness and community health outcomes.
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organizations: Smart Growth America, The National Complete Streets Coalition
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Changes in Physical Inactivity Among US Adults Overall and by Sociodemographic Characteristics, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2020 Versus 2018
Analyzes changes in physical activity in U.S. adults during the COVID-19 pandemic by comparing 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data to 2018 and 2016 data. Focuses on prevalence of physical inactivity according to age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, income, and rural versus urban geographic location.
Author(s): Miriam E. Van Dyke, Tiffany J. Chen, Jasmine Y. Nakayama, Latetia V. Moore, Geoffrey P. Whitfield
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 20
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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