Cultural adaptations of obesity‐related behavioral prevention interventions in early childhood: A systematic review

Abstract

Summary Interventions for obesity prevention can effectively reduce obesity‐related behaviors in young children. Understanding how to leverage and adapt evidence‐based interventions is needed to improve reach among culturally and linguistically diverse families. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the approaches and outcomes of culturally adapted early childhood obesity‐related behavioral prevention interventions. Multiple electronic databases were systematically searched in March 2021. All study designs were included if they reported cultural adaptations of an intervention targeting at least one obesity‐related behavior (infant feeding, nutrition, physical activity, and/or sleep) among children aged 0–5 years. Studies that only conducted language translations or that developed new interventions were excluded. Two authors independently conducted critical appraisals using the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool. Findings were synthesized narratively, based on the Stages of Cultural Adaptation theoretical model and the Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications‐Enhanced. Twelve interventions met the inclusion criteria, with varied study designs. Few reported all aspects of cultural adaptation processes, and the cultural adaptation strategies documented varied. The results suggest that cultural adaptation of obesity‐related behavioral prevention interventions targeting young children increases acceptability among target cultural groups, yet effectiveness is inconclusive due to a lack of trials. More detailed reporting of cultural adaptation processes and further effectiveness trials are needed to evaluate future work.

Nutrition Effects of a Family-Centered Health Promotion Program for Mexican-Heritage Children in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas

“…Exemplar interventions for Latino/a children include Crespo et al, Davis et al, and Barragan et al [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. Prior research has documented the importance of strengths-based and culturally relevant approaches for experiential nutrition education interventions or programs [ 8 ]. Diaz et al stated that culturally appropriate information, along with consideration of healthy traditional behaviors and the importance of peers’ opinions, must be considered when developing an intervention to improve health promotion [ 9 ].…”

Communication strategies and effectiveness of early childhood obesity‐related prevention programs for linguistically diverse communities: A rapid review

“…Another method of targeting minority groups in mainstream English‐speaking societies is cultural adaptation, the process of modifying an intervention to make it more suitable for a new target population considering culture, language, and context 33 . A recent systematic review by Marshall et al 34 assessed processes and effectiveness of cultural adaptations of pre‐existing interventions targeting obesity‐related behaviors in children 0–5 years. Although these programs were largely acceptable to the target populations, the availability and cost of skilled, bilingual staff may limit the scalability of such programs.…”

“…Although these programs were largely acceptable to the target populations, the availability and cost of skilled, bilingual staff may limit the scalability of such programs. Although encouraging, these methods are limited by their cultural and/or linguistic specificity, providing logistical challenges in delivering interventions among multicultural communities 34–36 …”

“…Although encouraging, these methods are limited by their cultural and/or linguistic specificity, providing logistical challenges in delivering interventions among multicultural communities. [34][35][36] An alternative method of targeting CALD communities in mainstream English-speaking societies is the implementation of prevention programs that cater to varying English proficiency and/or health liter-…”

A Longitudinal and Comparative Content Analysis of Instagram Fitness Posts

“…Mass media plays an important role in defining these appearance ideals by representing specific body types more often than others and by depicting them as more attractive and desirable [ 14 ]. In Western societies, the female body ideal has long been characterised by an extremely thin figure, while people with overweight and obesity are typically stigmatised by the media [ 15 ]. Notably, in recent years, the female body ideal has shifted from a predominantly thin to a dual-dimensional thin and toned figure [ 16 ].…”