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Rural Health Information Hub

Resources for Understanding Obesity

Information in this module was developed in part using these resources:

2011 Report to the Secretary: Rural Health and Human Services Issues
Document
Examines key topics in health and human services and their effects on rural areas including research on rural childhood obesity. Presents recommendations for supporting efforts to reduce childhood obesity and prioritizing funding for rural communities.
Organization(s): National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
Date: 3/2011

The Economic Impact of Obesity in the United States
Document
Reviews the economic impact associated with the obesity epidemic in four cost categories: direct medical, productivity, transportation, and human capital. Identifies important gaps in each set of costs and potential trends in economic impacts of obesity for future research.
Author(s): Hammond, R.A. & Levine, R.
Citation: Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy, 3, 285-295
Date: 8/2010

Is Rural Residency a Risk Factor for Overweight and Obesity for U.S. Children?
Document
Examines how residing in a rural community is a risk factor for overweight and obesity in children using data from the National Survey of Children's Health to compare childhood obesity in rural and metropolitan settings.
Author(s): Lutfiyya, M.N., Lipsky, M.S., Wisdom-Behounek, J., & Inpanbutr-Martinkus, M.
Citation: Obesity, 15(9)
Date: 9/2007

A Meta-Analytic Review of Obesity Prevention Programs for Children and Adolescents: The Skinny on Interventions that Work
Document
Summarizes obesity prevention programs and their effects with a focus on programs targeting children and adolescents and females. Investigates participant, intervention, delivery, and design features associated with larger intervention effects, and discusses promising directions for future research.
Author(s): Stice, E., Shaw, H., & Marti, C.N.
Citation: Psychological Bulletin, 132(5), 667–691
Date: 2006

Obesity and Related Health Behaviors Among Urban and Rural Children in the United States: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2004 and 2005–2006
Document
Analyzes rates of overweight and obesity among rural and urban children using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Discusses the differences in modifiable health behaviors between rural and urban children.
Author(s): McGrath Davis, A., Bennett, K.J., Befort, C., & Nollen, N.
Citation: Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 36(6), 669-676
Date: 2011

Defining Adult Overweight and Obesity
Website
Provides detailed definitions for Adult Body Mass Index (BMI) and offers a BMI percentile calculator for children and teens.
Organization(s): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Overweight and Physical Inactivity Among Rural Children Aged 10-17: A National and State Portrait
Document
Examines the presence of overweight and obesity among children in rural and urban communities using 2000 CDC BMI charts as a reference.
Author(s): Liu J., Bennet, K.J., Harun, N., et al.
Organization(s): South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Date: 10/2007

Prevalence of Obesity Among Adults From Rural and Urban Areas of the United States: Findings From NHANES (2005-2008)
Document
Analyzes obesity prevalence in rural and urban adults using BMI classification. Examines the demographic, diet, and physical activity connection of obesity across rural and urban residence.
Author(s): Befort, C., Nazir, N., & Perri, M.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 28(4), 392-397
Date: 5/2012

Prevalence of Obesity and Trends in the Distribution of Body Mass Index Among US Adults, 1999-2010
Document
Estimates the prevalence of adult obesity from the 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and compares adult obesity and the distribution of BMI with data from 1999-2008.
Author(s): Flegal, K.M., Carroll, M.D., Kit, B.K., & Ogden, C.L.
Citation: Journal of the American Medical Association, 307(5), 491-497
Date: 2/2012

Reports on Rural America: Demographic Trends in Rural and Small Town America
Document
Summarizes population redistribution trends in rural and small town communities and describes the social, economic, and political importance of these trends.
Author: Johnson, K.
Organization(s): Carsey Institute, Annie E. Casey Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Date: 2006

Rural Healthy People 2010, Nutrition and Overweight Concerns in Rural Areas: A Literature Review
Document
A brief review of the Healthy People 2010's goals and objectives to promote health and reduce chronic disease associated with diet and weight by focusing on nutrition and obesity and overweight particularly prevalent in rural areas. Summarizes interventions for the prevention and treatment of obesity feasible in rural areas.
Author(s): Tai-Seale, T. & Chandler, C.
Date: 2010