Understanding cultural factors contributing to obesity in Head Start Hispanic preschoolers: Perceptions from one county Head Start

Authors

  • Elizabeth Miller Miami University-Oxford Ohio
  • Stephanie Nicely Miami University
  • Marisol del Teso-Craviotto Miami University
  • Geralyn Timler Miami University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55370/hsdialog.v20i1.545

Keywords:

low-income, Hispanic, preschoolers, obesity prevention

Abstract

Obesity rates among low-income Hispanic preschoolers are higher than those of whites, highlighting the need for understanding the cultural factors that may contribute to obesity. A survey was distributed to Hispanic Head Start families; preschooler body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Two focus groups examined caregiver perceptions about obesity and meal practices. The rate of overweight/obesity in the preschoolers was 44%, whereas, 79.4% of caregivers reported child weight as “normal.†Caregivers perceived “thinness†as a disadvantage, favored home-cooked meals, and expressed a desire for children to assimilate to mainstream foods. Obesity prevention within Head Start must account for caregiver perceptions of healthy weight and incongruities between cultural values/ practices and guidelines. Head Start practitioners must understand the influence that school foods/meal styles have on cultural meal practices at home and the influence of social networks on home health behaviors. An opportunity exists to educate families within their cultural social networks.

Author Biographies

Elizabeth Miller, Miami University-Oxford Ohio

Assistant Professor of Nutrition in the Department of Kinesiology and Health

 

Stephanie Nicely, Miami University

Assistant Professor in the Department of Nursing

 

Marisol del Teso-Craviotto, Miami University

Associate Professor in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese

 

Geralyn Timler, Miami University

Associate Professor in the Department of Speech Pathology & Audiology

Downloads

Published

2017-12-20

Issue

Section

Research Articles