The dramatic rise in obesity in the United States has largely been attributed to the gradual engineering of energy expenditure out of our lifestyles as we have moved from a primarily agrarian society to highly mechanized workplaces (Leermakers, Dunn, & Blair, 2000). Until recently, most physical activity interventions targeted urban-dwelling women, paying less attention to their rural counterparts. Perhaps this is partially the result of a widespread assumption that equates rural living with farming and the perception that women in farming communities continue to lead the physically active lifestyle that often accompanies family-owned farms. Thus, one may assume that they are at lower risk for obesity and associated cardiovascular and metabolic problems. The authors of this article are among the first to spotlight not only determinants of physical activity but also dietary behavior of rural women and develop tailored interventions for both.
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