Developing a culturally responsive lifestyle intervention for overweight/obese U.S. Mexicans Journal Article


Authors: Leng, J.; Lui, F.; Narang, B.; Puebla, L.; González, J.; Lynch, K.; Gany, F.
Article Title: Developing a culturally responsive lifestyle intervention for overweight/obese U.S. Mexicans
Abstract: Introduction: Hispanics are the largest minority group in the United States, constituting 18 % of the population. Mexicans are the largest Hispanic subgroup and are at disproportionate risk for overweight/obesity. Lifestyle interventions targeting dietary change and physical activity have resulted in significant weight loss in several large randomized clinical trials in the general population, but few studies have tailored interventions to Mexican Americans. We conducted a community needs assessment from 2018 to 2020 in accordance with Domenech-Rodriguez and Wieling’s Cultural Adaptation Process (CAP) model to inform the development of SANOS (SAlud y Nutrición para todOS) (Health and Nutrition for All), a culturally-tailored, community-based diet and lifestyle education and counseling program that addresses overweight/obesity among U.S. Mexicans. Methods: Five Spanish-language focus groups were conducted until thematic saturation with 31 overweight/obese Mexicans in New York City about their knowledge, priorities, and preferences regarding diet, exercise, and evidence-based strategies for behavioral change. A grounded theory approach was used to analyze the data. Results: Five themes were identified: (1) A strong desire for tangible information related to diet and health, (2) Family as a primary motivator for behavior change, (3) Desire for group-based motivation and accountability to sustain intervention participation, (4) Belief in short-term goal setting to prevent loss of motivation, and (5) Time and workplace-related barriers to intervention adoption. Conclusions: Ecological factors such as the effect of acculturation on diet, family members’ role in behavior change, and socioenvironmental barriers to healthy dietary practices and physical activity should be considered when adapting evidence-based treatments for Mexican Americans. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
Keywords: mexican americans; lifestyle intervention; culturally responsive intervention development; focus group study
Journal Title: Journal of Community Health
Volume: 47
Issue: 1
ISSN: 0094-5145
Publisher: Springer  
Date Published: 2022-02-01
Start Page: 28
End Page: 38
Language: English
DOI: 10.1007/s10900-021-01016-w
PUBMED: 34291359
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC8881907
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 1 March 2022 -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Jennifer Chung Foung Leng
    78 Leng
  2. Francesca Mara Gany
    216 Gany
  3. Florence Lui
    23 Lui
  4. Bharat Narang
    30 Narang
  5. Kathleen A Lynch
    71 Lynch
  6. Leslie Alondra Puebla
    2 Puebla