Dr. Miriam Vega, Latino Commission on AIDS (NY)
“La Familia en la Cocina”
This Salud America! pilot research project aims to better understand knowledge, attitudes and communication behaviors related to food consumption and preferences among Latino parents and children, as well as the built and cultural environments in which they make decisions. The study recognizes the need to create, test and disseminate new interventions that reduce obesity rates for Hispanic immigrants, especially in terms of health communication around nutrition and obesity. To do this, the study is conducting outreach and interview sessions with Hispanic mothers and children. With 50 mother/child pairs, the study will conduct screening and intake sessions, administer a survey on various psycho-social variables (such as acculturative stress and attachment styles), calculate body mass indices (BMI), discuss a family eating scene, and create virtual shopping lists.
Presentation at Project Start: 2009
Presentation at Project End: 2011
Research Brief: 2011
Dr. Angela Wiley, University of Illinois
“Abriendo Caminos—Clearing the Path”
This Salud America! pilot research project takes a family-based approach—accounting for developmental patterns of behavior and practices in early mealtime experiences. The goal is to prevent childhood obesity and promote wellbeing among Spanish-speaking families in non-metropolitan communities in Illinois, a state which has experienced two-fold growth of Latino families over the past 10 years. Abriendo Caminos assumes that sustainable health promotion requires building on existing family strengths. The program seeks to build positive connections between healthy habits and family life to promote healthy eating and joint physical activity, preserve family traditions, and build stronger relationships between Latino children and their parents. The 6-week curriculum actively involves Latino families in food preparation, shared physical activity emphasizing culturally-tailored elements, and shared mealtimes featuring family storytelling and scrapbooking.
Presentation at Project Start: 2009
Presentation at Project End: 2011
Research Brief: 2011
Dr. Monika Stodolska, University of Illinois
Dr. Myriam Torres, University of South Carolina
