Primary Outcomes of a Healthy Lifestyle Interventions for Latino Families

  • Gail C. Frank Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, California State University Long Beach
  • Selena T. Nguyen Rodriguez Department of Health Science, California State University Long Beach
  • Mara Bird Department of Health Science, California State University Long Beach
  • Melawhy Garcia Department of Health Science, California State University Long Beach
  • Natalia Gatdula Department of Health Science, California State University Long Beach
  • Erika Centinaje Health Education Department, The Permanente Medical Group, Inc., Santa Clara, CA
  • Mayra Rascón Department of Health Policy and Management, University of California Los Angeles
  • Britt Rios-Ellis College of Health Sciences and Human Services, California State University Monterey Bay

Abstract

Latinos, especially children, are disproportionately affected by obesity. Sanos y Fuertes is a community-based, participatory research project that created a culturally resonant, bilingual, healthy lifestyle intervention for Latinos in California. Results of the program for families are presented. Methods: The sample consisted of 390 Latino families with at least one 2 to 8-year-old child. Confidential, self-report, paper-and-pencil surveys and objective anthropometrics were assessed. Paired sample t-tests evaluated changes between baseline-to-follow-up assessments. Results: A significant decrease was observed in children’s percent body fat, but not in adults. Improvements were found in adult knowledge, frequency of food label use and serving MyPlate portions. Adult frequency of breakfast, fruit, and vegetable intake increased, while frequency of sugary beverage intake decreased. Concomitant increases in parent-reported frequencies of children’s intake of breakfast, fruits, and vegetables were observed along with a less frequent intake of sugary beverage. Conclusion: Sanos y Fuertes is a promising, short-term healthy lifestyle education program which may lower obesity risk among Latino families. Replication in a randomized controlled trial is needed to establish its effectiveness among diverse Latino populations.
Published
2020-06-25
How to Cite
Frank, G. C., Nguyen Rodriguez, S. T., Bird, M., Garcia, M., Gatdula, N., Centinaje, E., Rascón, M., & Rios-Ellis, B. (2020). Primary Outcomes of a Healthy Lifestyle Interventions for Latino Families. Californian Journal of Health Promotion, 18(1), 29-38. https://doi.org/10.32398/cjhp.v18i1.2452