Cultural conflicts in the weight loss experience of overweight Latinos

Abstract

Objective: In spite of the high prevalence of obesity in the Latino population, there is limited recent information that can be used by health-care providers to develop culturally appropriate weight loss strategies for this population. Therefore, we describe weight loss experiences, attitudes and barriers in overweight Latino adults. Design: Qualitative study using focus group methodology Subjects: Twenty-one overweight adults (body mass index X25, age X20 years) self-identified as Latinos. Methods: Subjects participated in one of three focus groups. Reccurring themes within group discussions were identified by three independent investigators, one who was ethnicity concordant. Results: Themes included the presence of mixed messages when determining one's appropriate weight, with participants' desire to lose weight to be healthy (based on professional advice and personal experience) conflicting with the cultural idea that being overweight is healthy. Participants described discordance when adapting to the mainstream, leading to the loss of healthy traditional habits. Participants expressed interest in weight loss and familiarity with dieting and weight loss interventions. They desired culturally appropriate nutrition education and reassurance regarding healthy dieting from health-care providers. The importance of interactions with peers during education was another relevant theme, and participants were overwhelmingly positive about group education. Conclusions: To improve health promotion for Latinos, cultural factors distinctive to this underserved population, and barriers they articulate, should be considered when developing weight loss interventions.

Acculturation and Healthy Lifestyle Among Latinos With Diabetes

“…Delivery of culturally competent health care by professionals has been discussed at length, but evidence suggests that self-management of diabetes in modern US society may be diffi cult for Latino patients as they struggle to decide which traditional behaviors to retain and which new ones to adopt. 28 Our fi ndings suggest that an understanding of the complexities in providing culturally competent care must include an understanding not just of where the patient is coming from culturally, but where they are now. Having a medical home with continuity of care may help to ensure that the patient-physician relationship is intact and that the physician can understand factors that may be changing in the patient's ability to adhere to treatment or lifestyle recommendations.…”

“…This fi nding is especially pertinent in light of previous studies demonstrating that Latinos have diffi culty in maintaining healthy traditional habits while adapting to the mainstream culture, which may be due to a lack of perceived behavioral control, as they are unable to develop strategies to protect these benefi cial traditional habits. [27][28][29] Acculturation has been linked to the likelihood of developing diabetes, as well as to quality of care, with more-acculturated individuals receiving better care. 8,13 Little research has focused on the impact of acculturation on diet among Latinos with diabetes, however.…”

Obesity management: what brings success?

“…Likewise, in a focus group study among Latinos in South Carolina, USA, both males and females expressed a preference for a heavier body type. Their perception of fat being healthy was in direct conflict with medical advice [Diaz et al 2007]. …”

A prospective multifactorial intervention on subpopulations of predominately hispanic children at high risk for obesity

“…Multiple factors have been associated with higher rates of obesity. Hispanics may harbor a cultural perception that fat confers an element of health, thereby conflicting with medical advice (10). More sedentary activities and fewer strenuous outdoor activities have contributed to markedly less energy expenditure of children as compared with 40 years ago (11).…”