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

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.

Keywords: Hispanic; child eating behaviors; child obesity; child obesity prevention; community-based participatory research; diabetes prevention.