"It's about being healthy"; a novel approach to the socio-ecological model using family perspectives within the Latinx community. BMC Public Health 2023 Jan 11;23(1):86
Date
01/12/2023Pubmed ID
36631786Pubmed Central ID
PMC9833868DOI
10.1186/s12889-023-15005-2Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85146140872 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 3 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND: The Latinx community is at risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic illnesses. Culturally appropriate, community facing physical activity (P.A.) and nutrition programs may provide the basis for families to improve their health status. Our objectives are as follows: 1. To investigate synergistic factors within this type of program that play a role in creating an environment for participants to learn and practice healthy behaviors. 2. To apply factors into a novel model of components that support health and wellness. 3. To design an intervention for future implementation and evaluation.
METHODS: A two-year P.A. and nutrition program, Families Inspired Together 4 Youth Empowered to Succeed (FIT 4 YES), took place in Milwaukee, WI. with Hispanic families from 2018 to 2020 through a community-academic partnership. A pair of interviewers spoke with families who provided insight into the impact of the program. A grounded theory qualitative approach to code the transcripts guided the team to identify overarching themes.
RESULTS: Twenty-four interviews were conducted. Common themes indicated that children had a stronger belief in their abilities and confidence in peer support. Parents noticed their children increasing self-directed healthy behaviors. All families grew in their implementation of health and wellness.
CONCLUSIONS: Three main components of FIT 4 YES contributed to its success: opportunities for engagement, supportive relationships, and the interplay of components that emerged from the interviews. Effective programs could include these components to make their outcomes more cohesive within the family. A novel model emerged that builds on the social-ecological model that emphasizes the dynamic interactions between these main components. Additional research is needed to evaluate the long-term effects and response by the community.
Author List
Korom B, Malloy M, Remmers C, Cevilla M, Dione K, Papanek P, Condit J, Nelson DAuthors
David A. Nelson PhD Professor in the Family Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinPaula Papanek PhD, MPT, LAT, FACSM Associate Professor & Director of Exercise Science in the Exercise Science & Physical Therapy department at Marquette University
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentChild
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
Health Status
Humans
Obesity
Parents
