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Abstract Purpose To ascertain whether rural status impacts self‐reported health and whether the effect of rural status on self‐reported health differs by obesity status. Methods We identified 22,307 subjects aged ≥60 from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey 2004‐2013. Body mass index (BMI) was categorized as underweight, normal, overweight, or obese. Physical and mental component scores of the Short Form‐12 assessed self‐reported health status. Rural/urban status was defined using metropolitan statistical area. Weighted regression models ascertained the relative contribution of predictors (including rural and BMI) on each subscale. Findings Mean age was 70.7 years. Rural settings had higher proportions classified as obese (30.7 vs 27.6%; P < .001), and rural residents had lower physical health status (41.7 ± 0.3) than urban (43.4 ± 0.1; P < .001). Obese or underweight persons had lower physical health status (39.5 ± 0.20 and 37.0 ± 0.82, respectively) than normal (44.7 ± 0.18) or overweight (44.6 ± 0.16) persons (P < .001). BMI category stratification was associated with differences in physical health between rural/urban by BMI. Individuals classified as underweight or obese had lower physical health compared to normal, while the differences were less pronounced for mental health. No differences in mental health existed between rural/urban status. A BMI * rural interaction was significant for physical but not mental health. Conclusions Rural residents report lower self‐reported physical health status compared to urban residents, particularly older adults who are obese or underweight. No interaction was observed between BMI and rural status.
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