Hispanic Male’s Perspectives of Health Behaviors Related to Weight Management

Abstract

Hispanic males have the highest prevalence of overweight and obesity among men in the United States; yet are significantly underrepresented in weight loss research. The purpose of the current study was to examine Hispanic male’s perspectives of health behaviors related to weight management to refine the methodologies to deliver a gender-sensitive and culturally sensitive weight loss intervention. From October 2014 to April 2015, semistructured interviews were conducted with 14 overweight Hispanic men of ages 18 to 64 years. The interviews lasted approximately 60 minutes. Participants also completed a brief questionnaire and body weight/height were measured. Grounded in a deductive process, a preliminary codebook was developed based on the topics included in the interview guides. A thematic analysis facilitated the identification of inductive themes and the finalization of the codebook used for transcript analysis. Four overarching themes were identified: (a) general health beliefs of how diet and physical activity behaviors affect health outcomes, (b) barriers to healthy eating and physical activity, (c) motivators for change, and (d) viable recruitment and intervention approaches. Future research should examine feasible and appropriate recruitment and intervention strategies identified by Hispanic males to improve weight management in this vulnerable group.

A Gender- and Culturally Sensitive Weight Loss Intervention for Hispanic Men: Results From the Animo Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

“…In our study, researchers conducted individual semi-structured interviews with Hispanic men prior to developing the study, which identified several viable gender-and culturallytailored recruitment and intervention strategies (e.g. face-to-face individual counseling sessions, inviting spouses to attend sessions) (Garcia et al, 2017). These strategies were then incorporated into the design of the current pilot study.…”

“…These elements include the following: (1) language, (2) persons, (3) metaphors, (4) content, (5) concepts, (6) goals, (7) methods, and (8) context. Given the extent of interactions between gender and cultural factors in our sample (Garcia et al, 2017;Valdez et al, 2017), a great deal of the tailoring for gender and culture occurred simultaneously. For example, within the element of context, which considers a participants broader social, economic, and political reality, discussions were held during intervention sessions related to gender role strain and perceived challenges providing healthy foods for family members.…”

“…Gender, as a result of its socially-constructed characteristics for men and women (Vlassoff & Garcia Moreno, 2002) and traditionally dichotomized gender identities, has been found to interact with various health-related factors and intersects with culturallybound factors to influence general health behaviors (Garcia et al, 2017;Griffith, Gunter, & Allen, 2011;Griffith, King, & Ober Allen, 2013). Consideration of gender-and culturally related perceptions and attitudes surrounding weight management behaviors may provide an opportunity to inform interventions and deepen adaptations beyond common, superficial adaptations (e.g., translation of study materials, use of low-literacy materials) to improve the effectiveness of weight loss interventions.…”

“…Previous work by our team has examined Hispanic male's perspectives of health behaviors related to weight management (Garcia et al, 2017;Valdez et al, 2017). A variety of interpersonal, sociocultural, and environmental factors were identified by Hispanic men suggesting weight loss programs should be tailored to meet their unique needs.…”

Impact Assessment of Culturally Competent Nutrition Trainings on Diabetes Type II Control to Male Latinos/Hispanics

“…Although the Latino/Hispanic population is constantly increasing and its health concerns are being studied, there is little research about the Latino men health status and decision-making. Concerning Latino/ Hispanic males in particular, adequate access to health education can be lifesaving and recent studies show that this group is more likely to die from diabetes, chronic liver disease, liver cancer [3,8] and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [1].…”