Report
Development of a Childhood Obesogenic Environment Index
Policy File
Rural Health Research Gateway
01 Aug 2019
Abstract
The most rural (noncore) counties had higher (worse) average childhood obesogenic environment index scores compared to their metropolitan or micropolitan counterparts. By region, the South had the highest (worst) observed obesogenic environment index scores compared to the West, Midwest, and Northeast regions. Southern noncore counties had the greatest obesogenic environment burden; whereas, Northeast metropolitan counties had the lowest burden. This study identified several key environmental variables that may play a significant role in childhood obesity. A number of these variables may prove problematic in the rural environment particularly as existing literature shows that rural populations are at an increased risk for childhood obesity. In some rural areas, agricultural work may facilitate healthy eating and physical activity among children and farming families, but in most cases, additional environmental improvement efforts will be useful. Indeed, documented resource limitations in rural areas such as access to healthful foods and opportunities for physical activity may contribute to geographic disparities in childhood obesity. These barriers to healthy living, however, may be overcome through a number of different public health policies and initiatives. Aspects of the physical environment could be modified to promote physical activity and increase access to exercise opportunities. For example, public health, planning, and other government agencies could improve walkability and pedestrian and bicycle safety through improvements to infrastructure (e.g., traffic calming measures, sidewalks). Rural schools may adopt programming such as Safe Routes to School which increases safety surrounding schools to encourage active travel to/from school. Further, physical activity-related policies such as shared use agreements that increase accessibility of school recreation facilities and playgrounds to the public could be a viable method to increase access to exercise opportunities.
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Details
- Title
- Development of a Childhood Obesogenic Environment Index
- Creators
- Andrew KaczynskiJan EberthAngela LieseAlexander McLainEllen StoweMarilyn WendeCharity BrenemanMichele Josey
- Publication Details
- Policy File
- Publisher
- Rural Health Research Gateway
- Resource Type
- Report
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Health Management and Policy
- Identifiers
- 991021855272204721