The Latino community in the United States is predominantelly low-income and likely to be food insecure, and to have poor access to medical services and good education. Additionally, this community suffers a disproportionate burden of diet related conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, and chronic diseases such a heart disease and diabetes type II. Thus, culturally appropriate nutrition programs that are effective at fostering the adoption of healthier food habits and lifestyles should be used as tool to promote health and prevent diseases among Latinos. Since 1995, The Infant-Toddler component of the University of Connecticut Family Nutrition Program (FNP-IT) and the Hispanic Health Council (HHC) have conducted quanti/qualitative research to assess the nutritional needs and identify nutrition-related behaviors among Latinos living in inner-city Hartford Connecticut. The result of this work has been the development and implementation of: a) PANA (Programa para Aprender Nutrición y Alimentación), a culturally appropriate nutrition education program that promotes healthy eating habits among low-income Latino families at schools, health fairs, and/or community agencies; and b) the SALUD! campaign promoting better eating habits through radio, television, newspapers ads, street billboards, bus signs and bus stop shelters. Most recently, FNP-IT has partnered with the breastfeeding promotion program “Lactancia: Herencia y Orgullo” and has incorporated the FIGHT BAC! Food safety initiative. This presentation will review FNP-IT and will compare this model with other nutrition-related programs targeting Latinos in the USA.
Learning Objectives: 1. At the end of this session, the participants should be able to apply a similar methodology to develop their own nutrition program in their community. 2. Participants will discuss the important of culturally appropriate nutrition education programs, as a tool for health promotion and disease prevention among the Latino community in United States
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.