“It’s about being healthy”; A Novel Approach to the Socio-Ecological Model Using Family Perspectives within the Latinx Community

Authors

Bethany Korom, Medical College of Wisconsin
Meghan Malloy, Medical College of Wisconsin
Caroline Remmers, Medical College of Wisconsin
Mari Cevilla, United Community Center
Kelly Dione, United Community Center
Paula E. Papanek, Marquette UniversityFollow
Jeffrey Condit, University of Wisconsin - Madison
David Nelson, Medical College of Wisconsin

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2023

Publisher

BioMed Central

Source Publication

BMC Public Health

Source ISSN

1471-2458

Original Item ID

DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15005-2

Abstract

Background

The Latinx community is at risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic illnesses. Culturally appropriate, community facing physical activity (P.A.) and nutrition programs may provide the basis for families to improve their health status. Our objectives are as follows: 1. To investigate synergistic factors within this type of program that play a role in creating an environment for participants to learn and practice healthy behaviors. 2. To apply factors into a novel model of components that support health and wellness. 3. To design an intervention for future implementation and evaluation.

Methods

A two-year P.A. and nutrition program, Families Inspired Together 4 Youth Empowered to Succeed (FIT 4 YES), took place in Milwaukee, WI. with Hispanic families from 2018 to 2020 through a community-academic partnership. A pair of interviewers spoke with families who provided insight into the impact of the program. A grounded theory qualitative approach to code the transcripts guided the team to identify overarching themes.

Results

Twenty-four interviews were conducted. Common themes indicated that children had a stronger belief in their abilities and confidence in peer support. Parents noticed their children increasing self-directed healthy behaviors. All families grew in their implementation of health and wellness.

Conclusions

Three main components of FIT 4 YES contributed to its success: opportunities for engagement, supportive relationships, and the interplay of components that emerged from the interviews. Effective programs could include these components to make their outcomes more cohesive within the family. A novel model emerged that builds on the social-ecological model that emphasizes the dynamic interactions between these main components. Additional research is needed to evaluate the long-term effects and response by the community.

Comments

BMC Public Health, Vol. 23, No. 86 (2023). DOI.

Recommended Citation

Korom, Bethany; Malloy, Meghan; Remmers, Caroline; Cevilla, Mari; Dione, Kelly; Papanek, Paula E.; Condit, Jeffrey; and Nelson, David, "“It’s about being healthy”; A Novel Approach to the Socio-Ecological Model Using Family Perspectives within the Latinx Community" (2023). Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications. 234.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/exsci_fac/234