Nutrition and Dietary Health Promotion in Rural Areas

Dear Colleagues,

Good nutrition is key to achieving positive health outcomes for rural populations across the globe. A range of geographical, environmental, and behavioral factors in rural communities have an impact on nutrition status. Compared to urban areas, rural communities have different food intakes, which may contribute to different patterns of health risk and chronic disease. Issues of over- or under-nutrition vary across populations and settings, requiring approaches that consider the rural or remote context. Across the globe, in some rural areas key nutrition issues are related to nutrient deficiencies and malnutrition. Alternatively, other rural areas may have higher rates of overweight and obesity with an increased reliance on energy-dense and nutrient-poor foods, with a number of complex contributing factors.

In rural areas, food access is often impacted by vast distances and environmental changes (such as droughts and floods), resulting in higher costs of optimal food choices. Health promotion and public health nutrition interventions or initiatives can provide opportunities to influence food environments and support changes in nutrition and dietary health. Improvements in dietary patterns and/or nutrient intakes can assist in preventing or limiting the development of chronic health problems. Health professionals and other key stakeholders can advocate for changes that optimize the food supply and create equitable food environments.

We are interested in papers that provide insights into nutrient intakes, dietary patterns, or relevant food-related behaviors of population groups living in rural and remote locations. Studies or initiatives that provide solutions to improvements in dietary intakes, the prevention of chronic disease, or demonstrate collaboration across sectors to address these public health nutrition issues are also of interest.

Dr. Leanne Brown
Dr. Tracy Schumacher
Dr. Laura Alston
Guest Editors

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