P174 Improving Dietary Behaviors of Hispanic Children with a Family-Based Obesity Prevention Program: “Abriendo Caminos”

Abstract

Background Childhood obesity disproportionately affects Hispanic children in the U.S. Family-based obesity prevention efforts show promise in improving health behaviors. Obesity interventions for Hispanic immigrant families can have success in positively influencing dietary behaviors if they use cultural-tailoring in the development of the intervention. Objective To evaluate the effect of a culturally-tailored, obesity prevention intervention on Hispanic children's dietary behaviors. Study Design, Settings, Participants The Abriendo Caminos: Clearing the Path to Hispanic Health study (AC2) is a multi-state, randomized-controlled trial. Mexican and Puerto Rican families in Fresno, California and Central Illinois attended a six-week workshop on nutrition, family routines, and physical activity. Each workshop lasted two hours. Families (n = 116) with at least one child between 6 and 18 years old are included in this study. Measurable Outcome/Analysis An analysis of baseline and six-weeks post-intervention child diet outcomes was conducted. Mothers reported their child's frequency of consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), 100% fruit juice, fruit, vegetables, French fries, sweets, and salty snacks. Generalized estimating equations models adjusted for child age, gender, and site were used to evaluate intervention effects. Results The children in this study had a high prevalence of obesity (30.1%) compared to the national prevalence of Hispanic children (25.8%). Children in the intervention decreased frequency of consumption of SSB (P = .01), 100% fruit juice (P = .009), and sweets (P = .02). Children in the control group decreased the frequency of consumption of sweets (P = .05). There were no changes in fruit and vegetable consumption in either groups. Conclusion Family-based programs can improve Hispanic children's diet by decreasing high sugar foods consumption. Understanding how these changes influence other dietary behaviors such as beverage choice will be important. Future efforts should aim to increase intake of fruits and vegetables by considering family's barriers and access to healthy foods. Funding USDA-NIFA.