A national study of obesity prevalence and trends by type of rural county
Abstract
CONTEXT:
Obesity is epidemic in the United States, but information on this trend by type of rural locale is limited.
PURPOSE:
To estimate the prevalence of and recent trends in obesity among US adults residing in rural locations.
METHODS:
Analysis of data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) for the years 1994-1996 (n = 342,055) and 2000-2001 (n = 385,384). The main outcome measure was obesity (body mass index [BMI] > or = 30), as determined by calculating BMI from respondents’ self-reported height and weight.
RESULTS:
In 2000-2001, the prevalence of obesity was 23.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 22.6%-23.4%) for rural adults and 20.5% (95% CI 20.2%-20.7%) for their urban counterparts, representing increases of 4.8% (95% CI 4.2%-5.3%) and 5.5% (95% CI 5.1%-5.9%), respectively, since 1994-1996. The highest obesity prevalence occurred in rural counties in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas; obesityprevalence increased for rural residents in all states but Florida over the study period. African Americans had the highest obesity prevalenceof any group, up to 31.4% (95% CI 29.1%-33.6) in rural counties adjacent to urban counties. The largest difference in obesity prevalencebetween those with a college education compared with those without a high school diploma occurred in urban areas (18.4% [95% CI 17.9%-18.9%] vs 23.5% [95% CI 22.5%-24.5%], respectively); the smallest difference occurred in small, remote rural counties (20.3% [95% CI 18.7%-21.9%] versus 22.3% [95% CI 20.7%-24.0%], respectively).
CONCLUSIONS:
The prevalence of obesity is higher in rural counties than in urban counties; obesity affects some residents of rural counties disproportionately.
Authors:
Jackson JE, Doescher MP, Jerant AF, Hart LGJournal/Publisher:
J Rural HealthEdition:
Jan 2005. 21(2):140-148Link to Article
Access the article here: J Rural HealthCitation:
Jackson JE, Doescher MP, Jerant AF, Hart LG. A National Study Of Obesity Prevalence And Trends By Type Of Rural County. J Rural Health. Jan 2005 21(2):140-148Related Studies:
Unhealthy Lifestyle Behaviors Among Minority Group Members: A National Rural and Urban Study of Obesity