“…Rural adults demonstrate higher rates of premature mortality, obesity, type 2 diabetes and mental health problems than do urban adults (Australian Institute of Health & Welfare, 2008;Janus et al, 2007). These poorer health outcomes may be in part attributable to the lower levels of physical activity, a key modifiable risk factor for each of these outcomes, observed in rural populations (Australian Institute of Health & Welfare, 2008; Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2010; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1998;Dobson, McLaughlin, Vagenas, & Wong, 2010;Martin et al, 2005;Parks, Housemann, & Brownson, 2003;Patterson, Moore, Probst, & Shinogle, 2004;Reis et al, 2004;Van Dyck, Cardon, Deforche, & De Bourdeaudhuij, 2011;Wilcox, Castro, King, Housemann, & Brownson, 2000). Differences in environmental influences on physical activity according to area of residence have been observed in other population groups, (e.g.…”