In a study, researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine found that, In small towns in the Midwestern United States, people who eat out often at buffets and cafeterias and who perceive their community to be unpleasant for physical activity are more likely to be obese.

While that may seem obvious, the study’s intention was to focus on societal factors that lead to obesity and type 2 diabetes. Alicia Casey, first author of the paper and now a doctoral student in health communications at Penn State University. “Determining how much these factors increase the risk of obesity in rural areas can help us determine methods to help this group.”

The researchers found that obese participants tended to have less education and lower annual incomes than normal weight respondents. They also were more likely to view their community as unpleasant for physical activity, such as lacking sidewalks for walking or biking or to have few places to be active. Eating at buffets, cafeterias and fast food restaurants were other factors.

This study was the third part of a larger intervention research program that promotes walking among overweight rural adults.

Washington University School of Medicine (2008, December 19). Eating At Buffets Plus Not Exercising Equals Obesity In Rural America.

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