Abstract
This study qualitatively explored Hispanics’ perceptions of obesity and media-related strategies to obesity prevention. Sixteen interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of Hispanic adults (56% females; ~41 years old) in Texas. The interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim and analysed using inductive content analysis approach. Results showed that participants were aware of the severity and consequences of obesity. Media, especially Spanish TV and Internet were the primary health communication channels. Participants wished for more frequent public health announcements of local government initiatives, programs and events; desired celebrity’s role modeling; and suggested media portray of fat body imagery to help the community recognize the seriousness of obesity, as well as demanded for regulations on junk food commercials. In conclusion, future obesity prevention communication should consider using Spanish TV and Internet as the primary channels, utilizing celebrities as message sources, focusing on public health announcements & messaging; as well as advocating junk food commercial regulation.
Highlights
The increasing obesity prevalence in the United States (US) has caused preventable health and economic burdens, affecting Hispanic communities (CDC, 2009)
Participants wished for more frequent public health announcements of local government initiatives, programs and events; desired celebrity’s role modeling; and suggested media portray of fat body imagery to help the community recognize the seriousness of obesity, as well as demanded for regulations on junk food commercials
One participant reported to have participated in obesity prevention community programs
Summary
The increasing obesity prevalence in the United States (US) has caused preventable health and economic burdens, affecting Hispanic communities (CDC, 2009). The top ten causes of death in the Hispanic community include obesity-related diseases (National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators, 2010). Obesity and its health-related issues cause a “disproportionate economic burden” to Hispanics, especially to those with lower socio-economic status; struggling to cover individual and family health care costs (National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators, 2010). It highlights the urgent need for effective intervention strategies to reverse this epidemic among Hispanics
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