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What Sets Physically Active Rural Communities Apart from Less Active Ones? A Comparative Case Study of Three US Counties

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  • Christiaan G. Abildso

    (Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA)

  • Cynthia K. Perry

    (School of Nursing, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA)

  • Lauren Jacobs

    (School of Kinesiology and Physical Education, College of Education and Human Development, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA)

  • M. Renée Umstattd Meyer

    (Department of Public Health, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA)

  • Megan McClendon

    (Department of Public Health, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA
    Present Address: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, College Station, TX 77843, USA.)

  • Michael B. Edwards

    (Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, College of Natural Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA)

  • James N. Roemmich

    (US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center, Grand Forks, ND 58201, USA)

  • Zachary Ramsey

    (Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA)

  • Margaret Stout

    (Department of Public Administration, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA)

Abstract

Background: Rural US communities experience health disparities, including a lower prevalence of physical activity (PA). However, “Positive Deviants”—rural communities with greater PA than their peers—exist. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that help create physically active rural US communities. Methods: Stakeholder interviews, on-site intercept interviews, and in-person observations were used to form a comparative case study of two rural counties with high PA prevalence (HPAs) and one with low PA prevalence (LPA) from a southern US state, selected based on rurality and adult PA prevalence. Interview transcripts were inductively coded by three readers, resulting in a thematic structure that aligned with a Community Capital Framework, which was then used for deductive coding and analysis. Results: Fifteen stakeholder interviews, nine intercept interviews, and on-site observations were conducted. Human and Organizational Capital differed between the HPAs and LPA, manifesting as Social, Built, Financial, and Political Capital differences and a possible “spiraling-up” or cyclical effect through increasing PA and health (Human Capital), highlighting a potential causal model for future study. Conclusions: Multi-organizational PA coalitions may hold promise for rural PA by directly influencing Human and Organizational Capital in the short term and the other forms of capital in the long term.

Suggested Citation

  • Christiaan G. Abildso & Cynthia K. Perry & Lauren Jacobs & M. Renée Umstattd Meyer & Megan McClendon & Michael B. Edwards & James N. Roemmich & Zachary Ramsey & Margaret Stout, 2021. "What Sets Physically Active Rural Communities Apart from Less Active Ones? A Comparative Case Study of Three US Counties," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-21, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:20:p:10574-:d:652569
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    References listed on IDEAS

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