Results Of A Home-based, Promotora-led Pilot Physical Activity Intervention With Latino Preschoolers And Their Mothers

Abstract

Purpose: Latino children have higher rates of childhood obesity compared to preschool-aged children of other race/ethnicity groups. Community health workers (promotores) have been effective in improving health knowledge and behaviors in Latino adults. Few studies, however, have reported on the effectiveness of promotor-led interventions on physical activity (PA) changes in young Latino children and their parents. This study investigated the preliminary effectiveness of a 7-week, home-based, promotora-led pilot intervention with Latino preschool children and their families. Methods: One Spanish-speaking adult Latina trained as a promotora, recruited Latino families in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania via word-of-mouth and flyers. Families participated in a 7-week, theory-based PA program led by the promotora in their homes. Baseline and follow-up measures included child and parent objectively-measured PA (ActiGraph GT3X) and a parent survey. T-tests and Fisher’s Exact tests were completed in StataSE 17 to assess change in time spent in total PA and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and parental support and self-efficacy. Results: The sample included 8 mothers (37.4 ± 1.42 years, 100% female) and 8 children (4 ± 0.27 years, 87.5% female). The mothers were 1st generation immigrants primarily from Mexico with low acculturation, 62.5% college education and 62.5% employed. Child total PA did not change significantly (baseline: 21.8 ± 2.2 min/hr, follow-up: 23.9 ± 1.4 min/hr, p = 0.90), nor did MVPA (baseline: 6.1 ± 1.06 min/hr, follow-up: 6.5 ± 0.77 min/hr, p = 0.65). Similarly, parent total PA and MVPA did not change significantly (total PA baseline: 25.4 ± 2.1 min/hr, follow-up: 26.6 ± 2.1 min/hr, p = 0.85; MVPA baseline: 1.6 ± 0.46 min/hr, follow-up: 1.4 ± 0.33 min/hr, p = 0.27). While not significant, a greater proportion of parents reported support for child PA and self-efficacy from baseline to follow-up. Conclusions: While there were no statistically significant PA changes following the 7-week pilot intervention, there was evidence of changes to the home social environment to promote healthy PA. Future research with larger, appropriately powered sample sizes are necessary to continue investigating the effectiveness of a promotora-led home-based intervention with Latino preschoolers and their families.