Researchers looked at studies about weight problems in older adults (age 50+) who live in rural areas. They found that weight gain is common in these communities, affecting between 11% and 65% of people depending on the location. Women were more likely to have weight problems than men. The good news? Programs that combine healthy eating lessons with exercise, whether done in person or online, seem to help people manage their weight and blood sugar levels. This review suggests that future programs should focus on groups at highest risk, including Native American communities, older women, and people with less formal education.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How common weight problems are in older adults living in rural areas, and what programs help them lose weight or manage their health
  • Who participated: Researchers reviewed 17 studies from 2000-2024 that looked at people aged 50 and older living in rural communities. Six studies counted how many people had weight problems, and 11 studies tested different weight-loss programs
  • Key finding: Weight problems affect a large portion of older rural adults (ranging from 11% to 65% depending on location), with older women being more affected than men. Programs combining nutrition education and exercise helped people manage their weight and blood sugar
  • What it means for you: If you’re an older adult living in a rural area, weight-management programs that include both healthy eating guidance and exercise may help you. However, more research is needed to find the best approaches for different groups, especially Native American communities and people with lower education levels

The Research Details

This was a scoping review, which means researchers searched through multiple medical databases (CINAHL, PubMed, Google Scholar, and MEDLINE) to find all studies published between 2000 and 2024 about weight problems in older rural adults. They looked for studies that either counted how many people had weight problems (epidemiological studies) or tested programs designed to help people lose weight (intervention studies).

The researchers set specific rules for which studies to include: they only looked at peer-reviewed studies in English about adults aged 50 or older living in rural areas who were overweight or obese. They excluded studies about children, teenagers, or younger adults, as well as studies that mixed obesity with other serious health conditions.

Once they found the studies, they organized the information into tables showing what each study looked at, how many people participated, what type of program was tested, and what results they found. This helped them see patterns across all the research.

This approach is important because older adults in rural areas face unique challenges—they may have less access to gyms, nutrition counselors, or weight-loss programs compared to people in cities. By reviewing all the available research together, scientists can see what actually works for this specific group and identify which communities need the most help. This type of review helps guide future research and program development.

This review included only peer-reviewed studies, which means other experts checked the research before it was published. The researchers were careful to only include studies from the last 24 years, ensuring the information is relatively current. However, the review found only 17 studies total, which is a small number, suggesting more research is needed in this area. The studies came from different countries and used different methods, which makes it harder to compare results directly.

What the Results Show

The research showed that weight problems are very common in older rural adults, but the rates vary widely depending on location—ranging from 11.2% to 64.6% of the population. This big difference suggests that some rural communities are affected much more than others, possibly due to differences in access to healthy food, exercise opportunities, or cultural factors.

Across all the studies, women were consistently more likely to have weight problems than men. This pattern held true in both U.S. and international studies, suggesting it’s a widespread issue that affects older rural women particularly.

When researchers looked at education level, they found mixed results. One U.S. study found that people with less formal education were more likely to have weight problems, but a study from another country found no connection between education and weight. This suggests that education’s role in weight problems may depend on other local factors.

For programs that tried to help people lose weight, the most successful approaches combined two things: nutrition education (learning about healthy eating) and exercise sessions. These programs worked whether they were done in person in the community or delivered remotely (online or by phone). People who participated showed improvements in their weight and their blood sugar control, which is important for preventing diabetes.

The review identified three main types of weight-loss programs: community-based programs (7 studies), remote programs delivered online or by phone (3 studies), and hybrid programs that mixed both approaches (1 study). All three types showed promise for helping people manage their weight. The fact that remote programs worked suggests that rural adults without easy access to in-person programs can still benefit from online or phone-based help.

This review adds to what we already know about weight problems in older adults by focusing specifically on rural communities, which have been less studied than urban areas. Previous research has shown that weight problems are common in older adults generally, but this review confirms that rural older adults face similar or possibly greater challenges. The finding that programs combining nutrition and exercise work well matches what researchers have found in other populations.

The review only found 17 studies total, which is a relatively small number. This means there are big gaps in our knowledge about weight problems in rural older adults. Many of the studies were small and came from different countries using different methods, making it hard to compare results directly. The review didn’t look at studies published before 2000, so some older research may have been missed. Additionally, the studies didn’t always provide enough detail about whether the programs worked equally well for all groups, such as different racial or ethnic communities.

The Bottom Line

If you’re an older adult living in a rural area with weight concerns, consider joining a program that combines nutrition education with regular exercise—these appear to be the most effective approaches (moderate confidence level). Programs can be in-person in your community or delivered remotely if that’s more convenient. Talk with your doctor before starting any weight-loss program, especially if you have health conditions like diabetes or heart disease. Set realistic goals, such as losing 5-10% of your body weight over several months, rather than aiming for dramatic changes.

This research is most relevant for older adults (50+) living in rural areas who are overweight or obese. It’s especially important for older women and people in communities with limited access to health services. Healthcare providers and community leaders in rural areas should pay attention to these findings when planning health programs. However, these findings may not apply as well to younger adults, people living in cities, or those with serious health conditions beyond weight problems.

Most weight-loss programs take 3-6 months to show noticeable results. You might see improvements in blood sugar levels within 4-8 weeks, even before significant weight loss occurs. Long-term success usually requires sticking with the program for at least 6-12 months. Remember that sustainable weight loss is typically 1-2 pounds per week, so patience is important.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly weight (same day, same time each week) and log daily exercise minutes and meals. This creates accountability and helps identify patterns. Also track how you feel—energy levels, mood, and how clothes fit—since these often improve before the scale changes significantly.
  • Use the app to set a specific, achievable goal like ’exercise 30 minutes, 3 days per week’ or ’eat 5 servings of vegetables daily.’ Start with one behavior change rather than trying to change everything at once. The app can send reminders and celebrate small wins to keep you motivated.
  • Check in weekly with your progress on the app. Every month, review trends rather than focusing on daily fluctuations. Share your progress with a healthcare provider or use the app’s community features to connect with others doing the same program. This ongoing monitoring helps catch problems early and keeps motivation high.

This review summarizes research findings about weight management in older rural adults but is not medical advice. Weight loss and exercise programs should be discussed with your doctor before starting, especially if you have health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or joint problems. Results vary between individuals based on genetics, medications, and other health factors. This research is based on studies with varying quality and sample sizes, so findings should be considered preliminary. Always consult with a healthcare provider before making significant changes to your diet or exercise routine.