Promoting Physical Activity Through Trails

Obesity and physical inactivity are common in the United States, but few studies examine this issue within Rural Populations. The present study uses nationally representative data to study obesity and physical inactivity in Rural Populations. Rural residents of every racial/ethnic group were at higher risk of obesity than urban whites, other factors held equal. Among rural residents, minorities were not significantly more likely to be inactive than whites. Males and younger adults were less likely to be inactive. Rural adults who were from the Midwest and South, had less than a high school education, had fair to poor health, and currently smoked were more likely to be inactive compared to their respective referent group. The high prevalence of obesity and inactive lifestyles among Rural Populations call for research into effective rural interventions.