Ramirez Amelie G, Chalela Patricia, Gallion Kipling, Velez Luis F
Institute for Health Promotion Research, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 8207 Callaghan Rd, Ste 353, San Antonio, TX 78230, USA.
Prev Chronic Dis. 2007 Oct;4(4):A98. Epub 2007 Sep 15.
Obesity has reached epidemic levels, with nearly two-thirds of the U.S. population considered overweight or obese. Latinos have some of the highest rates of overweight, obesity, and sedentary lifestyle. Research from scientifically sound evidence-based interventions to reduce the disproportionate burden of obesity and its associated morbidity and mortality among Latinas is greatly needed. The purpose of this study was to assess knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors about nutrition and exercise among Latinas aged 40 years and older residing in a low-income community in Houston, Texas, and the applicability of an evidence-based church program to promote healthy energy balance.
Qualitative assessment was conducted through 10 focus groups with 75 women recruited through three Catholic churches, community groups, and leaders.
Participants identified barriers and enabling factors to healthy nutrition and physical activity. Barriers included lack of awareness about nutrition and physical activity, cultural beliefs, and socioeconomic and environmental factors. Preferred strategies were group activities with direct guidance from qualified individuals and interpersonal contact among participants, social support with positive reinforcement for behavior change or maintenance, and a friendly environment for learning and achieving suitable goals. The church was considered a powerful resource to influence Latinas to improve their health, exercise, and nutrition practices.
Our findings suggest that using the church environment to reach Latina women aged 40 years and older is a feasible and culturally appropriate strategy. The church environment provides a safe, comfortable, and familiar atmosphere for women and addresses specific cultural barriers and safety concerns of family members.
肥胖已达到流行程度，近三分之二的美国人口被认为超重或肥胖。拉丁裔人群的超重、肥胖率以及久坐不动的生活方式在某些方面处于最高水平。迫切需要开展基于科学可靠证据的干预措施研究，以减轻肥胖对拉丁裔女性造成的不成比例的负担及其相关的发病率和死亡率。本研究的目的是评估居住在得克萨斯州休斯顿一个低收入社区的40岁及以上拉丁裔女性对营养和运动的知识、态度及行为，以及一项基于证据的教会计划在促进健康能量平衡方面的适用性。
通过10个焦点小组进行定性评估，从三个天主教堂、社区团体和领导人那里招募了75名女性。
参与者确定了健康营养和体育活动的障碍及促成因素。障碍包括对营养和体育活动缺乏认识、文化信仰以及社会经济和环境因素。首选策略是在合格人员的直接指导下进行团体活动以及参与者之间的人际接触、通过积极强化行为改变或维持来提供社会支持，以及营造一个有利于学习和实现适当目标的友好环境。教会被认为是影响拉丁裔女性改善其健康、锻炼和营养习惯的强大资源。
我们的研究结果表明，利用教会环境接触40岁及以上的拉丁裔女性是一种可行且符合文化背景的策略。教会环境为女性提供了一个安全、舒适和熟悉的氛围，并解决了特定的文化障碍和家庭成员的安全担忧。
