Latino parents' perceptions of their ability to prevent obesity in their children

"It's Sort Of, Like, in My Family's Blood": Exploring Latino Pre-adolescent Children and Their Parents' Perceived Cultural Influences on Food Practices

This study examined the perceived connections between culture and food practices among Latino pre-adolescents (n = 17) and their parents (n = 15) through semi-structured interviews. Results show that pre-adolescents have formed perceptions concerning the association between their eating behaviors and cultural background that coincide with their parent's notions. Participants associated culture to both healthy and unhealthy food practices. Latin American food environments were described as healthier than in the US. The interviews revealed conflict between traditional foods preferences and perceptions of health, underscoring the need for better approaches to help Latino families navigate US food environments, while also preserving healthful traditional food practices.

A systematic review of grandparents' influence on grandchildren's cancer risk factors

Many lifestyle patterns are established when children are young. Research has focused on the potential role of parents as a risk factor for non communicable disease in children, but there is limited investigation of the role of other caregivers, such as grandparents. The aim of this review was to identify and synthesise evidence for any influence grandparents' care practices may have on their grandchildren's long term cancer risk factors. A systematic review was carried out with searches across four databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO) as well as searches of reference lists and citing articles, and Google Scholar. Search terms were based on six areas of risk that family care could potentially influence-weight, diet, physical activity, tobacco, alcohol and sun exposure. All study designs were included, as were studies that provided an indication of the interaction of grandparents with their grandchildren. Studies were excluded if grandparents were primary caregivers and if children had serious health conditions. Study quality was assessed using National Institute for Health and Care Excellence checklists. Grandparent impact was categorised as beneficial, adverse, mixed or as having no impact. Due to study heterogeneity a meta-analysis was not possible. Qualitative studies underwent a thematic synthesis of their results. Results from all included studies indicated that there was a sufficient evidence base for weight, diet, physical activity and tobacco studies to draw conclusions about grandparents' influence. One study examined alcohol and no studies examined sun exposure. Evidence indicated that, overall, grandparents had an adverse impact on their grandchildren's cancer risk factors. The theoretical work in the included studies was limited. Theoretically underpinned interventions designed to reduce these risk factors must consider grandparents' role, as well as parents', and be evaluated robustly to inform the evidence base further.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Children's Preferences and Self-Perceptions of Weight in a Rural Hispanic Community

INTRODUCTION

Although studies have documented parents' misperceptions regarding their children's weight, studies examining preadolescent children's self-perceptions of weight-in particular, Hispanic children's self-perceptions of weight-are limited.

METHOD

A convenience sample of 424 children from a rural community, aged 8 to 11 years and in grades 3 through 5, participated in this cross-sectional, descriptive, nonexperimental study. Using the Children's Body Image Scale, the children were asked to select a figure representing their actual body perception and a figure representing their ideal body perception. The children were weighed and measured, body mass index (BMI) was calculated, and each child was assigned to one of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention weight categories: underweight, normal or healthy weight, overweight, or obese.

RESULTS

Only BMI category was found to be significantly associated with accurate perception, χ²(3) = 201.4, p < .001, with only 9% of overweight or obese children selecting figures representing their actual BMI category. Actual BMI category, χ²(3) = 8.8, p = .032, and grade level, χ²(2) = 6.7, p = .036, had a significant association with selection of an underweight ideal. Overall, 32% of children selected an underweight figure as ideal.

DISCUSSION

Prepubertal children who are either overweight or obese do not accurately perceive their weight status. Rather than focusing solely on weight reduction programs, emphasis should be placed on promoting healthy lifestyles and choices.

Barriers for Hispanic Caregivers With Obese Preschool Children

INTRODUCTION

Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic, and the rates are disproportionately higher in minorities. Clinical guidelines have contributed to decreased prevalence overall, but the rates in Hispanic preschoolers have increased.

METHOD

This review of the literature summarizes the perceptions and beliefs of caregivers of Hispanic preschool children regarding weight status and feeding behaviors, as well as the perceived cultural barriers to guideline adherence. A search of the CINAHL, PubMed, Joanna Briggs, and Global Health databases identified studies performed between January 1, 2008, and April 1, 2016. Search terms included Hispanics, guideline adherence, gap, barriers, obesity, overweight, and attitude to obesity.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria, including some about Hispanic caregivers of preschool-aged children. Several cultural perceptions and beliefs were identified.

CONCLUSION

Further study is needed to develop more culturally relevant and sensitive guidelines and to design specific and effective interventions for this population.

The Meaning of Weight: A Big Way of Life for Rural Mexican-American Adolescent Men and Caregivers

OBJECTIVE

To describe the meaning of body weight among rural Mexican-American adolescents (RMAA) and an influential person (IP) of their social network.

DESIGN AND SAMPLE

This is qualitative descriptive study. Convenience sampling was used to recruit RMAA seeking care at a rural primary care-based clinic. Content analysis was used to identify categories and subcategories. Fifteen male adolescents and 14 IPs were interviewed (n = 29).

MEASURES

Individual interviews were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire.

RESULTS

Participants described body weight through family norms, body size, and history of heart disease or diabetes. Cultural scripts were used to describe weight gain, judgment of size, and resource limitations.

CONCLUSIONS

Health care providers must evaluate cultural scripts associated with body size to develop interventions that are derived from the meaning ascribed to weight status rather than simply based on evidence-based standards. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01387646.

Hispanic parents' perceptions of their preschool children's weight status

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to examine the accuracy of Hispanic parents' perceptions of their preschool children's weight status.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A cross-sectional descriptive design with Hispanic parent-child dyads (n = 83) from a Head Start setting was used to compare parents' perceptions of their children's weight status with their 2- to 5-year-old children's body mass index (BMI) and weight categories. Methods included a word choice from five response options, and varying body size silhouettes presented in a linear fashion and a random circular pattern. Parents' perceptions were compared with the children's BMI, and in relationship to parents' demographic characteristics and BMI.

RESULTS

Approximately half of parents underestimated their child's weight status, and overweight/obese parents tended to underestimate their overweight/obese children's weight status.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Eliciting parent perception of their child's weight is one way providers can engage in obesity prevention dialogue.

Hispanic Parental Perceptions of Child Weight in Preschool-Aged Children: An Integrated Review

BACKGROUND

Obesity continues to disproportionately affect ethnic minorities. Parents play an integral role in early childhood, and parental perceptions regarding their child's weight are key to obesity prevention. Cultural differences contribute to parental perceptions, and increased understandings of these characteristics provide a basis to address obesity in high-risk populations at an earlier age. The aim of this integrative review was to analyze extant literature to identify Hispanic parental perceptions of their preschool-aged child's weight status.

METHODS

An integrative review of studies measuring Hispanic parental perception was conducted. Computerized searches were completed using MEDLINE, PubMed, CINHAL, Eric, and PsychINFO. Articles were included if they were English, included children 2-5 years of age, included a Hispanic population, and evaluated parental perception of their child's weight status. A total of 14 articles (n=8 qualitative; n=6 quantitative) met criteria and were included in the review. Cooper's integrative review methodology was used, and articles were evaluated for quality using Polit and Beck's evidence hierarchy leveling system.

RESULTS

The results revealed six themes of Hispanic parental perceptions relative to their preschool-aged child's weight: parental perception of body weight; relationship between child weight and health; causes and consequences of overweight; familial roles and influences on child weight; prevention of overweight; and cultural influences within the United States.

CONCLUSIONS

This review highlights the importance of developing sociocultural approaches to addressing childhood obesity within the Hispanic population. Additional research is needed to incorporate what is known about Hispanic parental perceptions to positively influence behavior change during early childhood.

Perceptions of preventive health care and healthy lifestyle choices for low income families: a qualitative study

This paper examines Head Start parents' perceptions of preventive health and healthy lifestyle choices and Head Start administrators' perceptions of the needs of parents they serve. To address the preventive health of the population, it is necessary that we explore perceptions, risks, and protective factors of preventive health. Focus groups were conducted with parents and administrators to elicit this information and to obtain suggestions for improving preventive health and healthy lifestyle choices among this group. Overall, nutrition and physical activity emerged as themes in parents' definition of preventive health and healthy lifestyle choices. They further identified social support and education as major protective factors for engaging in preventive health and healthy lifestyle choices. Results of this study can be used to inform research and practice to develop interventions to increase preventive health and healthy lifestyle choices among low income families.