Qualitative examination of cultural influences on diet and physical activity patterns among Latino WIC families

Abstract

Childhood obesity rates have risen sharply in the US in the past several decades, and at particular risk are immigrant Latino children who are twice as likely as African‐American or white children to be overweight. General consensus among researchers and practitioners is that dietary treatment of overweight in children alone is usually unsatisfactory. Prevention, beginning early in childhood through careful attention to both diet and physical activity and factors influencing these behaviors, is the only viable public health option. This qualitative study conducted: 1) 20 one‐on‐one interviews with WIC mothers of children 3–5 years of age, 2) 10 interviews with WIC para‐professional staff. Interviews were designed to elicit culturally relevant information to contribute to our understanding of the complex landscape in which childhood obesity exists by examining the physical environment of diet and physical activity behaviors, and the social environment in which cultural norms and beliefs influence perceptions, behaviors and practices. We will present salient elements, identified from this research, for developing effective childhood obesity prevention programs focusing on low‐income Latinos in California.Grant Funding Source: AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION #09PRE2390123.