Latinos comprise the most rapidly growing group in the US and are estimated to become the nation's largest ethnic minority population. Interventions targeting Latinos have become increasingly popular during the past decade, as evidenced by the number of published research studies. In the nutrition field, Latinos have been targeted using a variety of methodologies, including family-based interventions, mass media, and via promotoras. Nevertheless, dietary habits continue to be associated in the etiology of a number of different cancers and there continues to be a paucity of research on effective health communication approaches targeting Latinos. The current research project will describe the development of a communication-based nutrition intervention for reducing cancer risk in Latinas. Three types of methodologies were employed to garner information about salient tailoring variables, to identify target behaviors for change, and for testing material design: focus groups, in-depth interviews, and participant observations. Focus groups were conducted with 82 individuals. The participants were female (94%), married (63%), homemakers (57%), and bilingual (Spanish & English languages; 62%). The participants reported high levels of involvement in planning meals (73%), grocery shopping (74%), and preparing meals (77%). Participants (n=17) in the shopping and food preparation observations and in-depth interviews (n=15) were of similar demographic characteristics. The results suggest low salience of nutrition-related behaviors and illness, and the importance of cost, taste, body image, and family on food-related behaviors. These findings set the stage for an intervention with a marketing focus, and less emphasis on traditional public health objectives.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: 1)identify appropriate strategies to be used during the formative research stage, 2) recognize ways of combining results of formative research, 3)apply formative research results to intervention development
Keywords: Latino Health, Nutrition
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.