Salsa, Sabor y Salud: Reducing Obesity and Diabetes Risk in Latino Families

Background: The purpose of this project is to reduce diabetes risk in Latino children and families by encouraging them to achieve and maintain a healthy weight by adopting healthy lifestyles, such as eating healthy foods  and  increasing physical activity. Obesity is a known precursor to Type 2 diabetes, and Hispanics/Latinos are genetically predisposed to diabetes. According to  the Office of Minority Health, Mexican Americans are almost twice as likely as non-Hispanic whites to be diagnosed with diabetes by a physician.  They have higher rates of end-stage renal disease, caused by diabetes, and they are 50% more likely to die from diabetes as non-Hispanic whites. Among Mexican American women, 73% are overweight or obese, compared to 61.6 % of the general female population. From 2005-2008, Mexican American women were 30% more likely to be overweight, compared to Non-Hispanic Whites.  In 2007, Hispanic adults were 50% less likely to engage in active physical activity as Non-Hispanic Whites. With the increase in the Latino population, coupled with the rising obesity rates among Latinos,  addressing weight management and diabetes prevention in this population are critical public health priorities. 

Program background: Salsa, Sabor y Salud (Food, Fun, and Fitness), represents a partnership between the YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South and the University of Memphis School of Public Health.  Developed by the National Latino Children’s Institute, this culturally relevant behavioral intervention aims to reduce diabetes risk in Latino families. The 8-session group program targets food intake (fewer sugar-sweetened beverages, increased fruits and vegetables) and increased daily physical activity. The program infuses Latino cultural values (simpatía, personalismo, familismo) into behavioral skill adoption, modeling, goal-setting, exercise and play in a supportive group environment. Program staff are bilingual and bicultural. Messages include “It’s your time” and “Do this for your family.”

Evaluation Methods and Results: This study uses a repeated measures design in which participants serve as their own controls. In cohort 1, at baseline 30 families (30 mothers and 4 fathers) participated; mean ages were 33.3 and 36.9 and mean BMI were 30.5 and 27.9, respectively. Children’s (n=28) mean ages were 11.3 (females) and 10.6 (males) years, with baseline BMI percentiles 70%ile and 82%ile respectively.  Mothers (n=20) demonstrated a significant drop in BMI from baseline to post and maintained a reduction in BMI at 1 month follow up (p=.021). There were also significant reductions in mothers’ waist and glucose outcomes but not for diastolic and systolic blood pressure (p-values =.01, .02, .83, and .17, respectively).  No significant changes were observed in children’s BMI, diastolic and systolic BP, waist, or glucose levels from baseline to post measurement (all p-values > .30).  Adult fruit and vegetable intake increased from mean 1.8 servings at baseline to 3.4 servings at posttest. Physical activity increased from 4.2 to 10.6 times per month.

Conclusions: This culturally-tailored, evidence-based approach holds promise for reducing diabetes risk in Latino families.

Implications for research and/or practice: Integration of culture and behavioral principles is essential to develop effective messages to support health behavior change.