Rural Obesity and Weight Control – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Rural Obesity and Weight Control.
Family-Focused Obesity Prevention Program Implementation in Urban Versus Rural Communities: A Case Study
Compares a rural childhood obesity prevention and reduction program with a similar urban program in Minnesota. Identifies logistical challenges encountered when adapting the urban program to a rural setting and discusses strategies to successfully translate obesity programs from urban to rural settings.
Author(s): Colleen Flattum, Sarah Friend, Melissa Horning, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 21, 1915
Date: 10/2021
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Compares a rural childhood obesity prevention and reduction program with a similar urban program in Minnesota. Identifies logistical challenges encountered when adapting the urban program to a rural setting and discusses strategies to successfully translate obesity programs from urban to rural settings.
Author(s): Colleen Flattum, Sarah Friend, Melissa Horning, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 21, 1915
Date: 10/2021
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Packaging of a Pediatric Weight Management Intervention and Implementation Blueprint for Rural and Micropolitan Communities: The Nebraska CORD 3.0 Project
Presents an outcomes-centered approach to pediatric weight management interventions (PWMIs) to translate urban PWMIs to micropolitan and rural communities. Includes charts, graphs, and screenshots that highlight interventions, adaptations, and resources that feature the outcomes-centered approach.
Author(s): Kate A. Heelan, Bryce M. Abbey, Roderick T. Bartee, et al.
Citation: Childhood Obesity, 17(1), 62-69
Date: 09/2021
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Presents an outcomes-centered approach to pediatric weight management interventions (PWMIs) to translate urban PWMIs to micropolitan and rural communities. Includes charts, graphs, and screenshots that highlight interventions, adaptations, and resources that feature the outcomes-centered approach.
Author(s): Kate A. Heelan, Bryce M. Abbey, Roderick T. Bartee, et al.
Citation: Childhood Obesity, 17(1), 62-69
Date: 09/2021
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Community-Based Efforts Aim to Improve the Food Environment within a Highly Obese Rural Appalachian County
Discusses efforts to improve nutrition of rural Appalachian citizens through community-developed marketing strategies. Examines statistical differences in food purchases at 5 Kentucky gas stations before and after healthier options were noted on station shelves via a "Smart Snack" logo.
Author(s): Rachel Gillespie, Emily DeWitt, Heather Norman-Burgdolf, Brynnan Dunnaway, Alison Gustafson
Citation: Nutrients, 13(7), 2200
Date: 06/2021
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Discusses efforts to improve nutrition of rural Appalachian citizens through community-developed marketing strategies. Examines statistical differences in food purchases at 5 Kentucky gas stations before and after healthier options were noted on station shelves via a "Smart Snack" logo.
Author(s): Rachel Gillespie, Emily DeWitt, Heather Norman-Burgdolf, Brynnan Dunnaway, Alison Gustafson
Citation: Nutrients, 13(7), 2200
Date: 06/2021
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Patient Recommendations for Providers to Avoid Stigmatizing Weight in Rural-Based Women With Low Income
Examines experiences of weight stigma, beliefs about body size, and recommendations for healthcare systems and providers for addressing weight stigma among 25 rural, low-income Michigan women who had ever had BMI of 30 or higher.
Author(s): Declan Watson, Katherine Hughes, Emma Robinson, Jacqueline Billette, Andrea E. Bombak
Citation: Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews, 8, 20-30
Date: 01/2021
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Examines experiences of weight stigma, beliefs about body size, and recommendations for healthcare systems and providers for addressing weight stigma among 25 rural, low-income Michigan women who had ever had BMI of 30 or higher.
Author(s): Declan Watson, Katherine Hughes, Emma Robinson, Jacqueline Billette, Andrea E. Bombak
Citation: Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews, 8, 20-30
Date: 01/2021
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NRHA Policy Paper: Rural Obesity
Policy position paper examining rural-urban differences in obesity prevalence, obesity as a factor in health disparities, differences in weight-related behaviors, and social determinants of health influencing rural obesity. Offers strategies and policy recommendations to address rural obesity.
Author(s): Demetrius Abshire, Cassity Gutierrez
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Policy position paper examining rural-urban differences in obesity prevalence, obesity as a factor in health disparities, differences in weight-related behaviors, and social determinants of health influencing rural obesity. Offers strategies and policy recommendations to address rural obesity.
Author(s): Demetrius Abshire, Cassity Gutierrez
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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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
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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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
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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The Use and Meaning of the Term Obesity in Rural Older Adults: A Qualitative Study
Discusses perceptions of obesity's definition, obesity stigma, and stigma-related challenges for provider-patient communication with rural older adults. Utilizes data from interviews and focus groups with older adults with obesity, primary care clinicians, and community leaders in rural New Hampshire and Vermont.
Author(s): John A. Batsis, Alexandra B. Zagaria, Emma Brooks, et al.
Citation: Journal of Applied Gerontology, 40(4), 423-432
Date: 02/2020
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Discusses perceptions of obesity's definition, obesity stigma, and stigma-related challenges for provider-patient communication with rural older adults. Utilizes data from interviews and focus groups with older adults with obesity, primary care clinicians, and community leaders in rural New Hampshire and Vermont.
Author(s): John A. Batsis, Alexandra B. Zagaria, Emma Brooks, et al.
Citation: Journal of Applied Gerontology, 40(4), 423-432
Date: 02/2020
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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
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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
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Health Disparities Related to Obesity in Appalachia: Practical Strategies and Recommendations for Communities
Offers statistics on obesity in rural Appalachian communities. Highlights strategies and resources to prevent and reduce obesity. Covers recommendations to assist policymakers, funders, and leaders working to reduce obesity related health disparities.
Author(s): Kate Beatty, Nathan Hale, Michael Meit, et al.
Date: 04/2019
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
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Offers statistics on obesity in rural Appalachian communities. Highlights strategies and resources to prevent and reduce obesity. Covers recommendations to assist policymakers, funders, and leaders working to reduce obesity related health disparities.
Author(s): Kate Beatty, Nathan Hale, Michael Meit, et al.
Date: 04/2019
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
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Assessing Effectiveness and Cost-Benefit of the Trinity Hospital Twin City Fit for Life Program for Weight Loss and Diabetes Prevention in a Rural Midwestern Town
Reports on Fit For Life (FFL), a health education program that works to address the causes of obesity in rural settings and helps program participants lose weight. Highlights discussion on assessing effectiveness, replication, and cost-effectiveness of lifestyle interventions in a rural Appalachian Ohio county. Covers lessons learned and practice implications.
Author(s): Timothy McKnight, Jennifer R. Demuth, Natalie Wilson, Jonathon P. Leider, Alana Knudson
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 15
Date: 08/2018
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Reports on Fit For Life (FFL), a health education program that works to address the causes of obesity in rural settings and helps program participants lose weight. Highlights discussion on assessing effectiveness, replication, and cost-effectiveness of lifestyle interventions in a rural Appalachian Ohio county. Covers lessons learned and practice implications.
Author(s): Timothy McKnight, Jennifer R. Demuth, Natalie Wilson, Jonathon P. Leider, Alana Knudson
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 15
Date: 08/2018
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Last Updated: 12/10/2025