Traditional Foods and Practices of Spanish-Speaking Latina Mothers Influence the Home Food Environment: Implications for Future Interventions

A Taste of Good Health: School-Based Parent and Family Healthy Lifestyles Classes to Reduce Childhood Obesity

“…In addition, effective interventions for weight loss in obese children have been shown to be successful when parents and adult caregivers are motivated and understand their role in establishing healthy eating habits among their children (American Academic of Pediatrics, 2003;Golan & Crow, 2004;Must et al, 1992). In response, the development of partnerships between schools and community agencies to provide familybased interventions has been suggested (Cole et al, 2006;Evans et al, 2011;Foster et al, 2008). However, there have been limited systematic follow-up evaluations of the effectiveness of such programs in changing families" nutrition and fitness habits after the completion of programs (Gonzalez-Suarez, Worley, Grimmer-Somers, & Dones, 2009;Story, 1999).…”

“…There are relatively few studies, however, that engage in the systematic evaluation of these interventions, particularly studies that examine the long-term effects (Cole et al, 2006;Evans et al, 2011;Foster et al, 2008;Li & Hooker, 2010;Story, 1999).…”

“…Studies conducted by other researchers (Golan et al, 1998;Golan & Crow, 2004) support the focus on parents as the target audience for nutrition training designed to improve the health status of the family. There are a number of studies which support the work of Golan et al (1998) showing that parents can have an influence on the eating and physical activity levels of their children (Evans et al, 2011;Golan & Crow, 2004;Gruber & Halderman, 2009;Hopper, Munoz, & Gruber, 2005;Peterson & Fox, 2007). According to Gruber and Halderman (2009), the family environment is key when trying to treat and reduce childhood obesity, and parents are most generally the primary agents of change.…”

“…The parents, through increased knowledge, can learn and appreciate the importance of a non-diet approach (Savoye et al, 2005). Studies have also suggested that parents need tools and resources to implement changes in their own behaviors, as well as those of their families, and to communicate with their family (Borra, Kelly, Shirreffs, Neville, & Geiger, 2003;Evans et al, 2011;Wechsler et al, 2004). Savoye et al (2005) conducted a study to determine the effectiveness of a weight management program curriculum, and to examine whether a relationship existed between the type of diet method utilized and improved weight and psychosocial outcomes in obese adolescents.…”

“…In another study, Evans et al (2011) conducted research with low-income parents of preschool-aged children in an urban center in Texas. The purpose of the study was to obtain more in-depth information from this specific population group to guide the development of culturally relevant nutrition interventions and curriculum.…”