Mexican American Parents’ Perceptions of Childhood Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

A study was conducted to identify the norms, values, and perceptions of urban immigrant Mexican American (MA) parents of school children relative to physical activity, healthy eating, and child risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Investigators facilitated five focus groups in an urban elementary school setting and analyzed data using qualitative analysis techniques. Methods for participant recruitment, conduct of focus groups, and qualitative data analysis are detailed. Results of analysis are presented. The relationship between parent focus group discussion and the conceptual framework guiding the study are depicted. Implications for practice and research are discussed.

Somali, Latino and Hmong parents’ perceptions and approaches about raising healthy-weight children: a community-based participatory research study

“…Important aspects of the home food environment, such as home food availability, family meal frequency, food preparation, parent role modelling and parent's encouragement for healthy eating, have been associated with weight-related dietary behaviours among youth (28,29) . Most of the research exploring the home food environment in immigrant families has involved Hispanics/Latinos (30)(31)(32) , with a paucity of data for other immigrant groups, such as Hmong and Somali (33)(34)(35)(36)(37) . However, there are limited data among immigrant families with younger-age children, including Latinos (30)(31)(32)34,(38)(39)(40) .…”

“…Most of the research exploring the home food environment in immigrant families has involved Hispanics/Latinos (30)(31)(32) , with a paucity of data for other immigrant groups, such as Hmong and Somali (33)(34)(35)(36)(37) . However, there are limited data among immigrant families with younger-age children, including Latinos (30)(31)(32)34,(38)(39)(40) . With the continuous arrival of immigrant groups and the ongoing changes in previously arrived people, further studies are needed to understand commonalities as well as differences in lifestyle behaviours of immigrant families with children.…”

Prevalence and Prevention of Diabetes in School Age Children

“…Therefore, a limitation of the study was the information translated may not have been accurate. One strength of this study was the information gained could help nurses when they plan interventions for diabetic children (Head et al, 2011). This article also offered good insight into what concerns parents of young children may have in relationship to healthy eating habits and health risks.…”

“…Each one of the five focus groups consisted of 14 females and one male participant and a five-level approach were used to analyze findings. This method was selected to help generate accurate findings when using multiple focus groups (Head, Barr, & Baker, 2011). The actual results related that there was an increase in stress associated with the time restraints put on parents by the United States (Head et al, 2011).…”

“…This method was selected to help generate accurate findings when using multiple focus groups (Head, Barr, & Baker, 2011). The actual results related that there was an increase in stress associated with the time restraints put on parents by the United States (Head et al, 2011). Parents shared fast-paced lifestyles that caused them to eat at fast food restaurants.…”