Factors Affecting Nutrition and Physical Activity Behaviors of Hispanic Families With Young Children: Implications for Obesity Policies and Programs

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14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To determine preferred policies and programs to prevent obesity and diabetes as identified by parents and caregivers of 3- to 5-year-old Latino children. Design: Constructs from the Social Ecological Model were used to develop 10 focus group and key informant interview questions. Setting: Community venues and schools in St Paul, MN. Participants: A total of 64 parents and caregivers and 20 key informants provided comments. Intervention(s): Community-based participatory research methods were used to gather opinions regarding appropriate and preferred methods to prevent obesity and diabetes among Latino youth. Native Spanish-speaking investigators who were members of the community conducted 7 focus groups (60–90 minutes each) and 20 key informant interviews. Main Outcome Measures: Themes and subthemes of preferences based on participant comments. Analysis: Transcript-based, long-table qualitative analysis. Results: Five themes were identified: (1) cultural beliefs and practices are inconsistent with obesity prevention; (2) cost and convenience; (3) positive parenting practices; (4) we want to learn more about being healthy; and (5) gardens, parks, gyms, and school meals. At least 1 theme fell within each of the Social Ecological Model domains. Conclusions and Implications: Our results suggest that parents of young Hispanic children prefer that obesity and diabetes prevention programs address multiple levels of influence.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)959-967
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior
Volume50
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2018

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors would like to thank Maria Navas and Rosaura de la Torre, INPALY community investigators. Funding for this project was provided by Health Resources & Services Administration Maternal and Child Health Bureau (5T79-MC00007-29-00) and University of Minnesota (PHDR 2009-305).

Funding Information:
The authors would like to thank Maria Navas and Rosaura de la Torre, INPALY community investigators. Funding for this project was provided by Health Resources & Services Administration Maternal and Child Health Bureau ( 5T79-MC00007-29-00 ) and University of Minnesota ( PHDR 2009-305 ).

Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior

Keywords

  • Hispanic
  • child eating behaviors
  • child obesity
  • child obesity prevention
  • community-based participatory research
  • diabetes prevention

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