Using Participatory Photo Mapping to Explore Food Choices and Physical Activity Opportunities with Latino Youth in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Latino children in the U.S. are more likely to be overweight or obese than their non-Latino, White counterparts. Reasons for this disparity are complex, with explanations and potential solutions likely varying from community to community. This project collaboratively engaged Latino community youth using Participatory Photo Mapping (PPM), which is a community-based participatory research approach that incorporates digital photography, narratives and maps. We gathered data on the eating and recreational experiences of 30 Latino youth in grades 5-8 in one school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Specifically, we used photographic records, GPS travel data, and interviews to collect data on participants’ eating and recreational behavior in the social and built environment, and their perceptions of these experiences. We aimed to understand how youths’ perceptions and attitudes of environmental factors affected their behaviors around physical activity and eating habits. Results suggest that: (1) this school environment excels in physical activity opportunities, yet was lacking for a healthy nutrition environment, (2) the food consumed at home and during non-school hours were sometimes nutritious, yet often included fast food and processed, high calorie “junk” food, (3) meal time at the home environment is a social event where social networks are enhanced within the immediate and extended family, and (4) the neighborhoods around the home provide easy access to junk food, but also provide rich opportunities to be physically active. Interventions to improve obesity among children need to take these specific school and family environments into account.