Promotora‐academic partnership to reduce nutritional health disparities among Mexican‐heritage families in Texas border colonias

Abstract

The burden of obesity disproportionately affects marginalized populations, such as Mexican‐heritage (MH) children who reside in impoverished communities along the U.S.‐Mexico border. These areas are occupied by a growing population of people who share a similar Mexican heritage, language, and socioeconomic standing; have unacceptably high rates of poverty and financial stress, adult and childhood obesity, food insecurity, and physical inactivity; and limited access to affordable, healthy foods and physical activity opportunities. There has been success with traditional approaches: 1) top‐down, researcher‐driven approaches, 2) disregard for contextual dimensions (culture, sociocultural, network, and personal), 3) not reaching most in need, 4) language and literacy, and 5) lack of trust by the priority population. Promotoras de Salud (community health workers) are trusted members of underserved, at‐risk Hispanic communities experiencing social and health inequities. Promotoras have the unique ability and opportunity not only to provide outreach and education but also to be actively engaged in conducting research in their communities and serve as a cultural bridge between the community and researchers. The purpose of this study was develop an understanding of needs and assets of priority communities regarding opportunities for affordable healthy foods and physical activity. Data collected included neighborhood/community assessment (ground‐truthed enumeration of all food venues and physical activity opportunities, environmental infrastructure, neighborhood characteristics, assessment of physical activity places, and informal and formal policies). This was followed by separate panel series of focus groups with MH children (age 7–11 y) and mothers. Data documented colonia and community needs and assets and the voices of children and mothers. The constellation of health behaviors and settings that place children at increased risk for poor nutrition and obesity must be simultaneously addressed.Support or Funding InformationUSDA‐NIFA (#2015‐68001‐23234)