Are obesity rates higher in rural or urban areas?

Are obesity rates higher in rural or urban areas?

Obesity prevalence was significantly higher among adults living in rural counties (34.2 percent) than among those living in metropolitan counties (28.7 percent). The greatest differences in prevalence were in the South and Northeast regions.

Why is rural America fat?

It’s also important to understand the root causes of rural obesity. The researchers point to two factors — diet and physical isolation. The study found that the overall diet of country people is much higher in fat.

Why is obesity higher in urban areas?

Children who live in urban areas tend to have a higher risk of overweight and obesity due to unhealthy dietary behaviors, such as high intake of sugar-sweetened beverages intake [15,16]. The dietary behaviors in urban areas are also more diverse compared to rural areas [17].

Why is there more obesity in the United States?

First, increased caloric intake is largely a result of consuming more meals rather than more calories per meal. This is consistent with lower fixed costs of food preparation. Second, consumption of mass produced food has increased the most in the past two decades.

Why is obesity higher in rural areas?

Low income and lack of physical activity have been identified as factors that predispose rural Americans to increased risk of obesity, arguing that low-income Americans may not have access to the resources available to assist them in weight reduction.

How can we prevent obesity in rural areas?

Community Strategies

1. Promote the availability of affordable healthy food and beverages.
2. Support healthy food and beverage choices.
3. Encourage breastfeeding.
4. Encourage physical activity or limit sedentary activity among children and youth.
5. Create safe communities that support physical activity.

Why are rural areas more obese?

Higher calorie consumption. Lack of nutrition education and services. Limited access to obesity prevention programs and weight management services. Fewer opportunities for children to be physically active in afterschool sports or events.

What is urban and rural mean?

The Census Bureau’s urban areas represent densely developed territory, and encompass residential, commercial, and other non-residential urban land uses. “Rural” encompasses all population, housing, and territory not included within an urban area.

How does community affect obesity?

Obesity rates were higher for lower income and education levels. Manual workers had an obesity rate of 27.4\%, which was higher than non-manual workers. Respondents currently living with their spouses (26.4\%) had higher obesity rates than those that did not (20.0\%).

Does rural America have a higher prevalence of obesity?

The State of Obesity 2020: Better Policies for a Healthier America also reports that rural counties have a higher prevalence of obesity for adults and children than their counterparts in urban counties. Some contributors to rural obesity identified in these reports include:

How does urbanization affect the prevalence of obesity in the US?

Differences in Obesity Prevalence by Demographics and Urbanization in US Children and Adolescents, 2013-2016 reports a higher prevalence of obesity among youth aged 2 to 19 years old in nonmetropolitan statistical areas (21.7\%) compared to youth in large metro areas (17.1\%) and medium or small metro areas (17.2\%).

Are non-metropolitan (rural) counties more obese?

Adults living in non-metropolitan (rural) counties are still more likely to be obese than adults in metro (urban) counties, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report in today’s MMWR.

How common is severe obesity among youth in nonmetro areas?

This report also found that severe obesity was more prevalent among youth in nonmetro areas (9.4\%) than among youth in large metro areas (5.1\%) and medium or small MSAs (5.3\%). What are some factors contributing to rural obesity? Obesity and overweight have long been considered causes for concern in rural areas.