Abstract

Latino father participation in a youth obesity prevention program: The Padres Preparados, Jóvenes Saludables multi-component experience

Ghaffar (Ali) Hurtado, PhD¹, Matthew Rodriguez, ThM², Marla Reicks, PhD³, Silvia Alvarez de Davila, PhD⁴, Javiera Monardez Popelka, MPH³, Alejandro Reyes, MPH³, Aysegul Baltaci⁵, Sayaka Nagao-Sato³, Darya Soltani² and Madeleine Boyer⁶
(1)University of Maryland College Park, College Park, MD, (2)University of Maryland, College Park, MD, (3)University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, (4)University of Minnesota Extension Center for Family Development, Minneapolis, MN, (5)St. Paul, MN, (6)College Park, MD

APHA 2021 Annual Meeting and Expo

Background

Obesity-related health issues are a growing public health concern. Strengthening healthy parenting practices can be an effective prevention strategy, however, father uptake of parenting interventions remains low. Padres Preparados is a community-based behavioral prevention intervention for Latino immigrant families, especially fathers. We assessed intervention components such as delivery format (in-person, blended and virtual), dosage and intensity, among others following principles of a Multiphase Optimization Strategy.

Objective

By the end of the session, participants will be able to: 1) describe the multicomponent approach, 2) identify predictors of higher participation for Latino fathers, and 3) explain implications for programs seeking to increase father participation.

Methods

This quasi-experimental study used a convenience sample of Latino fathers (n=164) participating in the program in Minnesota from 2017-2020, which was guided by Social Cognitive Theory. The primary outcome was fathers’ in-person or Zoom participation level, 0 = Lower participation and 1 = Higher participation. Predictors were added for father’s demographics and the program's Multicomponent Format. Fathers in the comparison group (n=69) participated only in-person. Fathers in the multicomponent group (n=95) participated in one of the multicomponent cohort formats. All groups participated in-person or via Zoom.

Results

Descriptives revealed fathers participated more via Zoom (76%) compared to other components. Logistic regression revealed Single (OR = 3.35) and Married (OR = 2.03) status along with In-person + App + SMS text (OR = 1.82) and WhatsApp + Zoom (OR = 2.20) multicomponent formats significantly increased the odds of fathers’ higher program participation compared to fathers in the App + WhatsApp + Zoom reference group.

Discussion

Programs seeking to increase father participation may consider a “blended approach” using technology. Findings suggest fathers participated at higher levels when the facilitators explained the curriculum via in-person or Zoom as compared to self-directed learning via the app.

Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs Public health or related education Social and behavioral sciences Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health