Rural Areas of U.S. Hit Harder by Obesity than Cities, Study Says - East Idaho News
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Rural Areas of U.S. Hit Harder by Obesity than Cities, Study Says

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Getty 120511 ObeseWoman?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1347826829743Digital Vision/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — A new study has found that rural areas of the United States are hit much harder by obesity than cities, Health Day reports.

University of Florida researchers said that almost 40 percent of adults in rural communities were obese, or had a body mass index of 30 or higher, compared to 30 percent of city dwellers. The study found that people living in both rural and urban areas got about the same amount of physical exercise, but that country habitants consumed a much higher percentage of daily calories from fat, Health Day says.

The researchers said the findings add to those from previous studies that have revealed that heavy meals and limited access to healthy foods are common in rural areas, according to Health Day.

The study was published in the fall issue of the Journal of Rural Health.

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