A systematic analysis of childhood obesity prevention interventions targeting Hispanic children: lessons learned from the previous decade

Abstract

SummaryHispanic children suffer from the highest overall rates of prevalence for overweight and obesity in the US. In the last decade some interventions for prevention of childhood obesity have been developed and tailored to target this subgroup. The purpose of this review is to systematically analyze and summarize findings for health education and promotion interventions aimed at the prevention of childhood overweight and obesity among primarily Hispanic children. A systematic review of PubMed, CINAHL, and ERIC was done for the time period 2000 to May 2010. A posteriori effect size for the primary outcome of each intervention was calculated using G*Power. A total of nine interventions were located; five randomized controlled trials and four were either quasi-experimental or pilot studies. Among these studies, only four had significant findings, and calculated effect sizes (Cohen's f) ranged from small to medium with the highest f = 0.26. Interventions were more likely to be successful when participants were at higher risk for obesity, a parental component was included, the intervention contained theoretical underpinnings, the intervention was delivered by a dedicated staff, the intervention served older children and the intervention was longer in duration. More interventions need to be developed for Hispanic children. Future interventions should also develop and utilize culturally appropriate and sensitive materials and approaches.

Pediatricians' Communication About Weight With Overweight Latino Children and Their Parents

“…Previous research has documented that Latino parents welcome suggestions regarding how to make traditional Latino foods healthier, suchassubstitutingwhole-wheatforflour tortillas, water with lemon for sugary beverages, and fish for red meat, and including more vegetables in meals 28 ; and culturally tailored obesity interventions have been shown to effectively reduce BMI and improve target health behaviors among Latino-American and MexicanAmerican children. [29][30][31] Also noteworthy, although not significant, was the higher frequency of communication regarding traditional foods among LI versus LC groups. It is possible that LI underscored cultural differences, and perhaps the need to address culturally relevant dietary plans.…”

Coordinating Care for Obese Latino Youth to Improve Visit Adherence

“…Childhood obesity disproportionately affects Latino children and adolescents in the US. 3,4 Latino boys, aged 2-19 years, were found to be significantly more likely to be obese than non-Latino white boys. Obesity prevalence was higher among Hispanic youth (22.4%) and non-Hispanic black youth (20.2%), compared with non-Hispanic white youth (14.1%) in 2012-2014.…”

A Taste of Good Health: School-Based Parent and Family Healthy Lifestyles Classes to Reduce Childhood Obesity

“…Studies specifically addressing the components of school-based parent education programs to include curriculum design (Evan et al, 2011;Gable & Lutz, 2000;Schwartz and Puhl, 2003;Wechsler, McKenna, Lee & Dietz, 2004) and cultural considerations (Ayala, Baquero, Arredondo, Campbell, Larios, & Elder, 2007;Branscum & Sharma, 2011;LCHC, 2006) are examined in the following section.…”

“…It was important for study participants that families support each other for healthful eating and eat meals together. In another study, Branscum and Sharma (2011) conducted a systematic analysis of nine Hispanic childhood obesity prevention programs. They concluded that interventions were successful when incorporating a parental component, sessions were longer in length, and when delivered by staff who were dedicated to and familiar with the Hispanic culture.…”