Making Tortillas without Lard: Latino Parents¢ Perspectives on Healthy Eating, Physical Activity, and Weight Management Strategies for Overweight Latino Children

Background: Latinos (Ls) are the most overweight racial/ethnic group of US children.

Objective: Identify parents' perspectives on healthy eating and physical activity strategies for overweight L children.

Design/Methods: 4 focus groups were conducted of Mexican immigrant, Mexican-American, Puerto Rican, and other L families with children at risk for overweight or overweight (ARO). Parents answered 33 questions and sampled healthy substitutes for traditional L foods.

Results: 19 parents were interviewed in 4 focus groups. The median child age was 9 years; 58% of parents were US citizens, and 42% of households had annual incomes ≤$25,000. The children¢s median BMI was 23; 60% had a BMI ≥95%. Parents reported ARO children would benefit from smaller portions; more vegetable/fruit consumption; reduced intake of fried foods, soda, and junk food; and more physical activity. Challenges to having kids exercise included expense, time constraints, and neighborhood safety. Parents accepted and liked healthy substitutes for traditional L foods, such as whole-wheat enchiladas. One mother stated, ²We want something close to our diet that s healthy. We don¢t want a change of culture.² Parents reported their children would accept high-fiber foods and low-fat dairy.

Conclusions: The following would help ARO L children: smaller portions; greater vegetable/fruit consumption; reduced intake of fried foods, soda, and junk food; and more physical activity. Parents accept healthy substitutes for traditional L foods, and reported their children would accept high-fiber foods and low-fat dairy. Successful weight management for ARO L children may require both culturally sensitive innovations and traditional approaches.