The goals of this study were to:

1. Model and map the obesogenic environment at a local (county and Census tract) level using geographic information systems (GIS)
2. Compare obesogenic environment scores across levels of rurality
3. Explore associations between obesogenic environment scores and childhood obesity rates overall and by urban/rural status.

We reviewed relevant literature on obesogenic environments and related measures, used the collected information to create an obesogenic environment index, and analyzed whether that index is related to childhood obesity at the tract and county levels in the U.S. These activities resulted in multiple publications and other research products that can be used in future efforts to address causes of childhood obesity related to environments and policies in rural settings.

Publications

• Development of a Childhood Obesogenic Environment Index
  Policy Brief
  Rural and Minority Health Research Center
  Date: 08/2019
  The purposes of this study were to describe the development of a childhood obesogenic environment index and examine differences in obesogenic environment index values by rurality and region across the U.S.
• Development of a National Childhood Obesogenic Environment Index in the United States: Differences by Region and Rurality
  Journal Article
  Rural and Minority Health Research Center
  Date: 07/2020
  This study developed a novel childhood obesogenic environment index and highlighted important regional and rurality differences across U.S. counties.
• Spatial Clustering Patterns and Regional Variations for Food and Physical Activity Environments Across the United States
  Journal Article
  Rural and Minority Health Research Center
  Date: 01/2020
  This study examined spatial patterns of obesogenic environments for U.S. counties. We mapped the geographic dispersion of food and physical activity (PA) environments, assessed spatial clustering, and identified differences across regions and rurality categories. This study highlights geographic clustering and disparities in food and PA access.