Differences in Physical Activity and Diet Patterns between Non-Rural and Rural Adults

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Lifestyle Medicine

Background:

• Rural occupations and lifestyles are understudied in relation to physical activity and diet behaviors.
• Understanding these factors is crucial for addressing the rural-urban obesity disparity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of rural occupations and lifestyles in shaping physical activity and diet.
• To compare these behaviors across non-rural, rural non-Hutterite, and rural Hutterite groups.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, observational study (South Dakota Rural Bone Health Study) with adults aged 20-66 years.
• Physical activity assessed via 7-day physical activity questionnaires.
• Dietary intake evaluated using food frequency questionnaires; mixed models used for analysis.

Main Results:

• Rural females and males engaged in more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and less sitting on weekdays compared to non-rural counterparts.
• Hutterite females and males exhibited reduced physical activity on weekends and altered fruit/vegetable consumption compared to rural non-Hutterites.
• Significant differences in physical activity and diet were observed between rural and non-rural groups, and within rural groups (Hutterite vs. non-Hutterite).

Conclusions:

• Rural occupations and lifestyles significantly contribute to variations in physical activity patterns.
• Traditional rural lifestyle practices, particularly among Hutterite communities, are associated with distinct dietary habits.
• These lifestyle-driven differences in physical activity and diet are key factors in the rural-urban obesity disparity.