Adapting a faith-based health-promotion program to a diverse audience of immigrant and refugee women: Lessons learned

While there have been increased calls for nutrition and physical activity interventions among immigrant and refugee populations, few programs have been tested. This paper describes a partnership between Faithful Families Eating Smart and Moving More (Faithful Families), a faith-based health promotion program developed by the North Carolina Division of Public Health and NC Cooperative Extension and the Islamic Association of Raleigh (IAR), highlighting unique components developed from listening sessions with women leaders in the community. As part of Faithful Families, thirteen women have been trained as lay leaders at the IAR and formed an “Eat Smart Move More” committee. Through listening and training, three key adaptations in programming occurred. The first was the decision to create women-only Faithful Families classes, after hearing that women would be more comfortable sharing in a single-gender setting. So far, 10 women from six countries have participated in classes, which promote simple strategies to plan, shop for and prepare healthy foods. Second, the Program Assistant hired for this project is from the IAR, and has adapted recipes, ensured purchasing of halal foods, and developed a translation plan. Finally, based on lay leader's suggestions, we developed a farmer's market tour, as a way to introduce U.S. markets to women born outside the U.S. Taste tests of market recipes are included, with encouragement to adapt recipes using cultural or regional spices. We conclude with lessons learned for health promotion interventions with immigrant and refugee communities, focusing on the need for relationship-building, listening, and a willingness to adapt.