Obesity and health status in rural, urban, and suburban southern women.
BACKGROUND
Obesity has reached epidemic proportions over the past 20 years.


METHODS
This study investigated the differences in rates of obesity and perceptions of health status between rural, urban, and suburban Southern women based on selected socioeconomic factors. Using data from a national health survey, the reports from 4,391 women aged 40 to 64 years were included in the study.


RESULTS
Significantly more rural women lived in poverty, reported a poorer health status, and had a greater prevalence of obesity. Urban women had the next highest obesity rate and a moderate health status. The healthiest group with the lowest obesity and poverty rates were suburban women.


CONCLUSIONS
Obesity and poor overall health are closely related in rural women. The greatest challenge to health care providers is to provide appropriate community-based weight-management programs.
Ramsey
Priscilla W
PW
Department of Adult Nursing, College of Nursing, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City 37614, USA.
Glenn
L Lee
LL
D000328:Adult; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008393:Marriage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D011203:Poverty; D012423:Rural Health; D015144:Southeastern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D015206:Southwestern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D018881:Suburban Health; D014504:Urban Health