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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Physical activity

Health-Related Behavioral Risk Factors and Obesity Among American Indians and Alaska Natives of the United States: Assessing Variations by Indian Health Service Region
Study examining behavioral risk factors and obesity in American Indian and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) based on 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data. Investigates rates of current cigarette smoking, heavy drinking, binge drinking, and physical activity, analyzing disparities in AI/AN and non-Hispanic White populations.
Author(s): Guixiang Zhao, Jason Hsia, Alexander Vigo-Valentín, William S. Garvin, Machell Town
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 19, 210298
Date: 01/2022
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Quantifying the Food and Physical Activity Environments in Rural, High Obesity Communities
Results of a study to assess the nutrition and physical activity environments in rural South Dakota communities with high rates of obesity, to understand whether there are common strengths and challenges that emerge across communities. Features a comparison of availability of various healthful food options between grocery and convenience stores and pricing for healthful vs. regular food options in grocery stores and convenience stores.
Author(s): Lacey A. McCormack, Jessica R. Meendering, Linda Burdette, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(24), 13344
Date: 12/2021
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Feasibility of Promoting Physical Activity Using mHealth Technology in Rural Women: The Step-2-It Study
Describes a pilot study that examined the potential of text-messaging and utilization of a pedometer to promote walking among rural women age 40 and over in Illinois. Discusses efforts to increase physical activity through rural-specific interventions and assesses the pilot program's feasibility by analyzing participant data.
Author(s): Manorama M. Khare, Kristine Zimmermann, Rebecca Lyons, Cara Locklin, Ben S. Gerber
Citation: BMC Women's Health, 21, 415
Date: 12/2021
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Do State Comprehensive Planning Statutes Address Physical Activity?: Implications for Rural Communities
Study examining state comprehensive plans related to physical activity with a focus on predominantly rural states and jurisdictions based on state statutory laws. Analyzes the rates at which physical activity, land use, parks and recreation, and other planning items were addressed in state statutes, offering a map of state-level rurality, population-conditional rules for planning, and physical activity-related plan elements.
Author(s): Lisa M. Charron, Chloe Milstein, Samantha I. Moyers, Christiaan G. Abildso, Jamie F. Chriqui
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(22), 12190
Date: 11/2021
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Needs Assessment for Physical Activity Information During COVID-19 Among a Nationally Representative Sample of Parents and Children Ages 6–17 in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Study
Shares the results of a study examining the information needs of parents of children aged 6 to 10 and parent-child dyads of children aged 11 to 17 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Table 2 describes physical activity information needs by parent and child demographic data such as school status, work status, rurality, and more.
Author(s): Ashleigh M. Johnson, Emily Kroshus, Pooja S. Tandon
Citation: BMC Public Health, 21, 1953
Date: 10/2021
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What Sets Physically Active Rural Communities Apart from Less Active Ones? A Comparative Case Study of Three US Counties
Examines factors that influence physical activity in 2 rural counties with high levels of physical activity and 1 rural county with low levels of physical activity, within the same Southern state, to identify best practices for the development and promotion of physical activity in rural areas. Table 1 provides county characteristic data such as race and ethnicity, population living in a rural area, income, economy type, and more.
Author(s): Christiaan G. Abildso, Cynthia K. Perry, Lauren Jacobs, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(20), 10574
Date: 10/2021
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Self-Management Education Class Attendance and Health Care Provider Counseling for Physical Activity Among Adults with Arthritis — United States, 2019
Examines self-reported self-management class attendance and healthcare provider physical activity counseling for adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis. Includes data for metropolitan, micropolitan, and rural (non-core) areas, as well as overall state-by-state data.
Author(s): Lindsey M. Duca, Charles G. Helmick, Kamil E. Barbour, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 70(42), 1466-1471
Date: 10/2021
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Walking and Other Common Physical Activities Among Adults with Arthritis — United States, 2019
Examines nonwork-related physical activity among adults with arthritis. Includes data by rurality for adults who reported walking, gardening, or weightlifting in the last month.
Author(s): Dana Guglielmo, Louise B. Murphy, Kristina A. Theis, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 70(40), 1408-1414
Date: 10/2021
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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The Effects of Play Streets on Social and Community Connectedness in Rural Communities
Reports the results of a study examining the impacts of the Play Streets program that seeks to increase physical activity among children in rural communities located in North Carolina, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Texas. Shares information from focus groups and interviews to further understand the added social and community benefits from the program.
Author(s): M. Renée Umstattd Meyer, Tyler Prochnow, Andrew C. Pickett, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(19), 9976
Date: 09/2021
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Determining Patient Needs to Enhance Exercise Program Implementation and Uptake in Rural Settings for Women after a Cancer Diagnosis
Identifies barriers and facilitators of physical activity programs for rural female cancer survivors, utilizing data from focus group discussions among 19 cancer survivors and 11 interventionists. Includes discussion of participant and facilitator knowledge, program cost, support, cancer-specific exercise and physical outcome concerns, and more. Identifies differences in perspective between participant and facilitator groups.
Author(s): Jessica L. Adams, Michelle Y. Martin, Maria Pisu, et al.
Citation: Supportive Care in Cancer, 29(8), 4641-4649
Date: 08/2021
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