P159 - Clearing the Path to Hispanic Health: Improving Awareness of Healthy Eating and Family Dynamics

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine Hispanic mothers' perceptions of the nutrition education and family routines lessons of Abriendo Caminos, a culturally-tailored childhood obesity prevention intervention. Target Audience: Hispanic mother-child dyads (n = 36) with at least one child between the ages of 6–18 in central Illinois. Theory, Prior Research, Rationale: There is a need to implement and evaluate health programs that address the high prevalence of obesity among Hispanic children. Community-based programs that are culturally-tailored and incorporate the family unit can facilitate the adoption of healthy behaviors. Evaluation findings will enable cultural adaptation of the lessons' content and activities. Description: Abriendo Caminos is a randomized-controlled intervention consisting of six 2-hour weekly workshops. Participants received nutrition lessons focused on healthy dietary patterns that follow federal dietary recommendations and include traditional Hispanic foods. The family routines lessons promote planning of shared family mealtimes, positive family interactions, and cultural traditions. Evaluation: Four focus groups were conducted with mothers in Spanish after workshop lessons were complete by bilingual and bicultural researchers. Two researchers took detailed notes. Data were analyzed using thematic coding analysis to consider areas of improvement for nutrition and family routines lessons. Major themes identified were: increased child self-efficacy in applying healthy dietary practices; mothers were motivated to incorporate new foods into meals; greater emphasis on family-oriented activities is needed, and inclusion of mental/emotional health topics would support positive parenting practices. Conclusions and Implications: Overall, mothers were satisfied with the Abriendo Caminos program. They reported learning new ways to improve their family's health and observed positive behavior changes in their children. However, mothers seek to learn about emotional health topics to improve communication with their children. Therefore, Abriendo Caminos adaptations will incorporate activities that foster the parent-child relationship and maintain program fidelity and goals. Funding: USDA.