Background The burden of obesity and chronic disease is increasing in the older US Hispanic/Latino adult population. There is limited evidence on successful weight management strategies as perceived by this population. Assessing barriers and opportunities for weight management using mixed methods is a robust approach to collect in‐depth information that can be applied to the development of well‐tailored weight management interventions for this population. Objective The objective of this study was to assess perceived individual, interpersonal, and environmental factors that influence weight management in older Hispanic/Latino adults. Methods This community‐based cross‐sectional study included 23 Hispanic/Latino older (>50y) adults with obesity (BMI >30 kg/m2). Perceived barriers and opportunities for weight management were assessed through validated questionnaires and focus groups. Prospectively registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03978416) on 7 June 2019. Results In this demographically heterogeneous population, language acculturation was generally low, and the frequency of poor dietary behaviors was high. Participants linked financial strain to lower diet quality, as well as anxiety to uncontrolled eating and food cravings. Social support and trust in healthcare professionals were perceived as priorities for healthy eating. Structural and environmental barriers such as affordability and availability of culturally preferred foods were also identified as influences on food choices and eating behavior. Conclusions This study revealed opportunities for culturally tailored weight management interventions in older Hispanic/Latino adults with obesity. Clinical Trial Registry Number NCT03978416 (http://ClinicalTrials.gov)
Objectives This study aimed to document the perspectives of past participants of a text- and website-based ethnic-specific healthy eating program delivered in 2019–2021 for 76 ethnically-diverse Latinos in Boston, MA. Following a healthy diet may help prevent excessive burden of disease; however, current programs fail to address distinctions by ethnicity. Formative research with community partners showed that the Latino community warranted deeply tailored dietary programs. Hence, we aimed to identify key facilitators and barriers to the program implementation and uptake, with the goal of improving future iterations, across diverse populations. Methods In 2021, a trained bilingual researcher conducted semi-structured phone interviews with 29% of past participants (n = 22). The interview guide and codebook were grounded in the RE-AIM framework. Coders employed a deductive analytic approach. Results Most participants were Spanish-speaking women over the age of 35, who graduated college and have lived in the U.S. over 20 years. Participants identified a need for ethnic-specific cultural tailoring and for recognizing similarities and differences across Latino cultures in nutrition programs. Motivations to participate included giving back to the Latino community, contributing to science, learning something new, and losing weight. Continued participation was driven by the value assigned to social interaction and discussion when learning about healthy eating strategies. Participants reported higher engagement with content delivered via text message than website, which presented barriers to access. Participants also appreciated receiving familiar content, which served as a “cue to action” for common health behaviors. Through participation, individuals reported increased autonomy and awareness of their dietary choices and physical changes. Conclusions There is a recognized need for ethnic-specific health promotion efforts among Hispanics/Latinos. To facilitate program uptake, interventions should deliver opportunities for social interaction, emphasize ease of access, and highlight opportunities for participant engagement to garner autonomy and awareness. Funding Sources Harvard University Rose Service Learning Fellowship; NIH/NCI; NIH/NHLBI.
In the United States (US), Latino individuals older than 50 years face health disparities compared to their White counterparts. Considering the rising life expectancy and the projected increase of older Latino adults in the US, this scoping review aimed to determine the effectiveness of theory-based and culturally relevant strategies that promote healthy aging in Latinos. Web of Science and PubMed databases were searched between December 2022 and February 2023 for peer-reviewed articles assessing healthy aging interventions tailored to community-dwelling aging Latino adults. We included nine studies describing the effects of seven interventions on physical activity- or nutrition-related outcomes. Although not always statistically significant, interventions had a beneficial impact on well-being indicators. The most commonly used behavioral theories were Social Cognitive Theory and Attribution Theory. Latino cultural elements in these studies included partnering with community organizations that serve Latinos (such as Catholic churches), delivery of in-person bilingual group sessions by trusted community members (such as promotoras or Latino dance instructors), and incorporating values such as family and religion into the health curriculum, among others. Future strategies that promote healthy aging in Latino adults should proactively culturally adapt the theoretical foundations and the design, recruitment, and implementation processes to ensure their relevance and effectiveness.
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