Sanos y Fuertes (Healthy and Strong) Childhood Obesity Prevention through Culturally Relevant Curriculum Development and Health Education with Latino Families

INTRODUCTION Poor nutrition and determinants associated with overweight and obesity unique to Latinos are frequently overlooked within college courses in the allied health fields. To address this public health deficit, the Sanos y Fuertes project aims to provide Latino graduate students with an innovative experiential learning opportunity to work within their communities. Students co-developed and implemented a childhood obesity prevention project, engaging Latino families in health education, and addressing issues most salient to this population.

METHODS The project objectives are to: 1) provide students with the opportunity to engage in Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR); 2) co-develop a culturally-relevant bilingual promotores-based curriculum; and, 3) implement a quasi-experimental pilot intervention with 40 Latino families. Trained students and promotores recruited, enrolled, and conducted charlas (education sessions) with participants. Based on focus group findings, the intervention focuses on MyPlate, food labels, fruits and vegetables, and physical activity with an emphasis on familismo, parental role-modeling and parents as food gatekeepers.

RESULTS Outcomes include the evaluation of: 1) student involvement in research; 2) the development and piloting of promotores-based intervention; and 3) pilot results including analysis of pre-post and three month follow-up surveys.

DISCUSSION The inclusion of familismo and parental role-modeling as primary components of childhood obesity interventions represents a culturally effective strategy for Latino communities. It capitalizes on the importance of the family unit to encourage and support commitment to healthier lifestyles. Pairing students with promotores provides a unique opportunity to learn from community advocates while improving the health of Latino communities.