Salud America! Developing a National Latino Childhood Obesity Research Agenda

Abstract

U.S. childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions, with one third of children overweight or obese. Latino children have some of the highest obesity rates, a concern because they are part of the youngest and fastest-growing U.S. minority group. Unfortunately, scarce research data on Latinos hinders the development and implementation of evidence-based, culturally appropriate childhood obesity interventions. In response, the Salud America! network conducted a national Delphi survey among researchers and stakeholders to identify research priorities to address Latino childhood obesity and compare differences by occupation and race or ethnicity. The resulting first-ever National Latino Childhood Obesity Research Agenda provides a framework to stimulate research and collaboration among investigators, providers, and communities, and inform policy makers about the epidemic's seriousness and specific needs for priority funding. The agenda ranks family as the main ecological level to prevent Latino childhood obesity--followed by community, school, society, and individual-and ranks top research priorities in each level.

Acculturation among Latino Primary Caregivers and Physician Communication: Receipt of Advice Regarding Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors

“…To our knowledge, our study is one of the first studies to examine various types of physician advice among Latino children and their primary caregivers. While our findings support that health care providers offer advice to Latinos [20, 21], rates of advice regarding the amount of screen time and the use of a recreational center are not comparable to rates of advice regarding children's eating habits, weight, and physical activity. Also, findings support that insurance is associated with physician advice, but having private insurance does not appear to guarantee receipt of all types of advice among Latinos [22].…”

“…Nguyen and colleagues [20] found that among a sample of obese Mexican American adults, those who did not receive advice regarding diet and exercise were more likely be younger, speak Spanish at home, lack insurance, and possess lower levels of educational attainment. Conversely, Lopez-Quintero et al [21] found that age was not associated with receipt of physician advice regarding physical activity and diet among adult Latinos with chronic disease. However, English-proficient adults were more likely to receive advice than their limited English-proficient counterparts.…”

Perception of Childhood Obesity and Support for Prevention Policies among Latinos and Whites

“…However, in spite of the large increase in obesity research over the last two decades, very few studies have focused on the Latino population [11]. The lack of data on Latinos is an obstacle for the development and implementation of relevant prevention programs [12]. …”

Study Protocol for a Home-Based Obesity Prevention Program in Latino Preschool Children

“…A socioecological perspective emphasizes the interconnectedness of systems; the relationships between child physical activity, diet, and weight status are nested within the parent, home, and cultural environment. Furthermore, family has been identified as the foremost ecological level in which to prevent Latino child obesity (47). SCT provided a framework to explain why individuals develop and maintain health behaviors, and how these learned behaviors are influenced by the individual’s environment and self-efficacy.…”