Rural and Remote Food Environments and Obesity

Authors

Jennifer D. Lenardson MHS, University of Southern Maine, Maine Rural Health Research CenterFollow
Anush Yousefian Hansen MS, MA, University of Southern Maine, Muskie School of Public Service, Maine Rural Health Research CenterFollow
David Hartley PhD, University of Southern Maine, Muskie School of Public Service, Maine Rural Health Research Center

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-20-2015

Keywords

Access/Insurance, MRHRC

Publication Title

Current Obesity Reports

Abstract

Rural residents are more likely to be obese and overweight compared to their urban counterparts. Studies of specific rural communities have found that the limited availability of healthy foods in the community and home as well as individual characteristics and preferences contribute to poor diet and overweight. The rural food environment is varied and may be affected by climate, regional and cultural preferences, transportation access, and remoteness among other factors. Given this diversity and the vulnerabilities of rural residents, who are more likely to have low-income, substandard housing or low educational attainment compared to their urban counterparts, policy and programmatic interventions should target specific needs and communities. This review will describe the rural community, home, and individual food environments and what is known about their roles in healthy eating.

Recommended Citation

Lenardson, J. D., Hansen, A. Y., & Hartley, D. (2015). Rural and remote food environments and obesity. Current Obesity Reports. doi: 10.1007/s13679-014-0136-5