HELPING LATINO FAMILIES PREVENT

OBESITY IN THEIR CHILDREN:

A CURRICULUM

By Lupita G. Cardenas

California State University, Long Beach

May 2014

Introduction

• With the expansion of the food market, an assortment of calorie dense food options has become

easily accessible on a global scale (World Health Organization, 2003). The combination of high

calorie food and low physical activity has contributed to the rise of obesity and chronic diseases

(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011b).

• The incidence of obesity is evident across the nation with as many as 1 in 3 Americans, or 32.2%

of men, and 35.5% of women, diagnosed as obese (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

2012b).

• The Latino population in the United States has vastly increased within recent years, currently

representing almost 17% of the population nationally and over 38% of California’s residents

(United States Census Bureau, 2013).

• Further predictions suggest that by 2050 this “minority” group will represent about one fourth of

the total U.S. population (Ortman & Guarneri, 2012).

• The anticipated dramatic growth will have a direct implication on the public sector, such as

education, health care, and Social Security benefits (Social Security Administration, 2013).

• Latino children living in California have the highest percentage (46.2%) of obesity when compared

to other ethnicities (California Center for Public Health Advocacy, 2011).

Social Work Relevance

• The National Association of Social Workers (NASW; 2008) has a Code of Ethics with six major

principles: competence, dignity, integrity, importance of relationships, service, and social justice.

This project relates to the Code of Ethics as follows:

• In the area of dignity and worth of the individual, this project aims to provide participants with

information about their ability to prevent and address obesity in a culturally relevant manner.

• It intends to empower parents to make changes based on their families’ individual needs.

• With respect to the importance of human relationships, it is hoped that participants will develop

meaningful bonds within the group.

• Additionally, the intent of these workshops is for family members to build a support system.

Cross Cultural Relevance

• Obesity has become a growing concern within the Latino community; however, it is a condition

that impacts individuals across the nation.

• The African American community has also faced distress as a result to consequences stemming

from obesity. It is estimated that as many as 40% of African American children are obese or

overweight, placing them at risk for developing life altering illnesses (Let’s Move, 2013a).

• American Indian/Alaskan Native children are more likely to be obese or overweight when

compared to White children (Let’s Move, 2013b).

• Ethnic minority groups are more likely to require mental and physical health services, however are

less inclined to receive quality care (Ai, Appel, Huang, & Lee, 2012; Bigfoot & Schmidt, 2010;

Thompson et al., 2013).

• Neighborhoods that experience economic hardship may have limited access to quality food at a

low price (O'Malley, Gustat, Rice, & Johnson, 2013).

• The disproportion of liquor stores to chain grocery stores further fuels obesity and health disparities

in impoverished communities (La Veist & Wallace, 2000; O'Malley et al., 2013).

Curriculum

Curriculum Goal and Objectives

This curriculum aims to empower Latino families by making them aware about risk associated with

obesity. Specific objectives are to:

1. Increase parental awareness of the negative implications that obesity has on their

children and their own well-being.

2. Help parents learn how to buy and cook foods that are healthy, affordable, culturally

relevant, and fun for children.

3. Demonstrate healthy lifestyle practices that include exercise and maintaining a balanced

diet to support the well-being of all family members.

Curriculum Design

• This curriculum, named Para Nuestra Familia (For Our Family), consists of three 2 hour

workshops.

• The program is delivered through a curriculum, which includes a Facilitator’s Guide and a Family

Workbook in English and Spanish.

Topics in Curriculum

Workshop #1, Salud y Bienestar Para Nuestra Familia (Health and Wellness for Our Family),

introduces the MyPlate guide, which emphasizes the importance of incorporating all food groups such

as dairy, fruits, grains, protein, and vegetables in order to achieve a balanced diet (USDA, 2013).

• This also highlights the importance of including whole foods such as fruits and vegetables in

one’s diet.

• The recommended portions as presented by the USDA and the American Dietary Association

are also discussed (see Appendix).

• The first workshop also discusses the risks that Latinos face associated with unhealthy eating

habits, such as diabetes and hypertension.

Workshop #2, Prácticando Hábitos Saludable Para Nuestra Familia (Practicing Health Habits for Our

Family), focuses on creating Latin dishes with healthier ingredients, as well as modifying traditional

fatty foods to be healthy and satisfying.

Workshop #3, Diversión y Ejercicio Para Nuestra Familia (Fun and Exercise for Our Family),

emphasizes the importance of incorporating physical activity into a balanced lifestyle.

• The workshop concludes with a “graduation” ceremony in which participants will receive a

certificate of participation (see Appendix).

Goals of Curriculum

• These workshops aim to build awareness about the harmful

effects of obesity and the importance of adopting an

appropriate diet.

• These workshops are intended to help participants learn how to

make healthy dishes that are inexpensive, while embracing the

Latino culture.

• These workshops emphasize the importance of incorporating

physical activity to promote the well-being of all family

members.

Lessons Learned

• An individual’s environment is an important factor that

influences the development of obesity, yet individuals living in

low-income communities continue to be overexposed to

processed foods high in sodium and sugar.

• Obesity affects minority groups living in low-income

neighborhoods are at an unfair disadvantage.

• Due to the absence of legislation, children and adults are ill

equipped to overcome the obesity epidemic.

References Ai, A. L., Appel, H. B., Huang, B., & Lee, K. (2012). Overall health and healthcare utilization among Latino American women in the United States. Journal of Women's Health, 21(8), 878-885. BigFoot, D., & Schmidt, S. R. (2010). Honoring children, mending the circle: Cultural adaptation of trauma-tocused cognitive-behavioral therapy for American Indian and Alaska Native children. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 66(8), 847-856.

California Center for Public Health Advocacy. (2011). [Graph illustration Childhood obesity and overweight by ethnicity November 2011]. Childhood obesity and overweight by ethnicity. Retrieved from http://www.publichealthadvocacy.org/Childhoodobesityandoverweightbyethnicity/raceinCalifornia,2010 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011b). National diabetes fact sheet: National estimates and general information on diabetes and prediabetes in the United States, 2011. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/ pubs/pdf/ndfs_2011.pdf La Veist, T. A., & Wallace, J. M., Jr. (2000). Health risk and inequitable distribution of liquor stores in African American neighborhood. Social Science & Medicine, 51(4), 613. Let’s Move. (2013a). Fact sheet for African Americans. Retrieved on September 27, 2013, from http://www.letsmove.gov/sites/letsmove.gov/files/Let%27s_Move_Fact_Sheet _for_African%20Americans.pdf Let’s Move. (2013b). Fact sheet for American Indian/Alaskan Native. Retrieved on September 27, 2013, from http://www.letsmove.gov/sites/letsmove.gov/files/Let%27s_Move _Fact_Sheet_for_American%20Indian_Alaska%20Native.pdf National Association of Social Workers. (2008). NASW Code of ethics (Guide to the everyday professional conduct of social workers). Washington, DC: Author. O'Malley, K., Gustat, J., Rice, J., & Johnson, C. (2013). Feasibility of increasing access to healthy foods in neighborhood corner stores. Journal of Community Health, 38(4), 741-749. Ortman, J.M., & Guarneri, J.E. (2012). United States population projections: 2000 to 2050. Retrieved from http://www.census.gov/population/projections/files/analytical- document09.pdf

Social Security Administration. (2013). Social security is important to Hispanics. Retrieved from http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/factsheets/hispanics.htm Thompson, R., Dancy, B., Wiley, T., Najdowski, C., Perry, S., Wallis, J., & Knafl, K. (2013). African American families' expectations and intentions for mental health services. Administration & Policy in Mental Health & Mental Health Services Research, 40(5), 371-383. United States Census Bureau. (2013). California quick facts from the U.S. Census: 2013. Retrieved from http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06000.html United States Department of Agriculture. (2013). MyPlate food groups. Retrieved on September 27, 2013, from http://www.choosemyplate.gov/printpages/MyPlate

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