Community-Based policy change for Latino families with preschoolers- promoting family-based physical activity

Background: Tennessee is ranked number one for Latino obesity. Nashville's park system has undergone a comprehensive assessment of existing conditions, recreational trends, and resident needs and preferences. However, Metro Parks and Recreation staff noted Latinos are disproportionately underutilizing indoor and outdoor recreational facilities, even as the number of Latino families are growing in our community. Objective: To assess the long-term effect of a family-based community recreation centered program to change routine activity for Latino parent- preschool child dyads and to examine the impact of this program on the 22 other community recreation centers. Target Population: Phase one: Latino families who participated in the Salud Con La Familia skills building program based at the Coleman Community Center compared to those who did not. Phase two: Metro Parks and Recreational Staff. Methods: Salud Con La Familia participants (N= 66) compared to 66 Latino families with preschool children matched to zipcode region who did not participate in the community center based skills building program will complete a survey of reported use of community recreation centers for themselves and their children. Next, all 100 Metro Parks and Recreation Staff will be surveyed to assess use of the facilities by Latino families with preschool children, indicating facilitators and barriers. Anticipated Impact: The evaluation will provide data to inform Metro Parks and Recreation's organizational practices to enhance access and use of their facilities by Latino families living in the community.