Preventing Obesity Among the Hispanic Population

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Table of Contents

Introduction
PEN-3 Model within the Relationships and Expectations Dimension
Conclusion
References

Introduction

When creating an effective culture-sensitive health education program for the population of obese Hispanic Americans, one should incorporate multiple factors within the dimension of relationships and expectations. Indeed, since health outcomes largely derive from people’s immediate environment and background, it is relevant to incorporate these influences as the facilitating factors in the healing process. This paper aims to identify the target population’s relationships and expectations as they pertain to the obesity issue, its prevention, and treatment implemented in the form of weight-loss interventions. The elements of the PEN-3 model within this dimension will include perceptions, enablers, and nurturers, which represent three specific cultural factors impacting health.

PEN-3 Model within the Relationships and Expectations Dimension

Perceptions

The first factor within the dimension of relationships and expectations is associated with the perception of health-related values, beliefs, and attitudes that create a basis for an individual to engage in healthy behaviors. For the Hispanic population, the perceived needs regarding weight are those associated with the views on a proper body image, physical activity, and lifestyle. According to Lindberg et al. (2013), Hispanic individuals perceive tasty and nutritious food as an indicator of health and well-being. Moreover, as found in the study conducted by Alert et al. (2019), 18% of Hispanic teenage boys and 12% of Hispanic teenage girls underestimate their body weight. These numbers show that for a significant part of the population, excessive weight is not perceived as an abnormality. Importantly, this idea is more relevant to males than females, which should inform the development of the culturally sensitive weight-loss program.

Another perception of the Hispanic population related to obesity indicates the crucial role of cultural background and immediate environment. Indeed, a heavy weight is valued as an indicator of health; in addition, it is commonly believed that body features, including weight, are inherited (Garcia et al., 2019). Physical activity perception and attitudes comprise another significant health-related cultural factor, according to which Hispanics, especially youth, prioritize a sedentary lifestyle, which has a negative implication on obesity (Garcia et al., 2019).

Early marriages and young parenthood are common for Hispanic people; in this context, the “lack of nutrition knowledge” might strive through generations with the persistent repetition of the same dieting mistakes leading to obesity (Garcia et al., 2019, p. 806). Therefore, these beliefs, values, and attitudes comprise perceptions of healthy behaviors in the target population and will be incorporated into their educational program. Given these findings, the perceived needs of the population are to maintain good health in a heavyweight body with a balanced food intake, while the actual needs are to maintain a healthy body mass index through nutrition, physical activity, and elimination of a sedentary lifestyle.

Enablers

The second factor in the relationships and expectations dimension is enablers, which consist of either positive or negative influences of society on healthy behaviors. According to Lindberg et al. (2013), close relationships inside the family are particularly valued in the Hispanic community, which enables forming of strong food- and exercise-related habits reinforcing similar patterns, positive or negative. In addition, Hispanics commonly have poor access to fresh produce due to restricted resources (Garcia et al., 2019). As for the positive influences, they include access to nutrition-related knowledge online, availability of sporting activities and facilities in the neighborhoods, and access to healthcare (Garcia et al., 2019). Thus, when constructing a plan for a weight-loss program, one should ensure that these enablers are properly addressed.

Nurturers

Finally, the third element is nurturers, which entails positive contact with others to ensure healthy behavior consistency. They are associated with the availability of family support, which is commonly cherished by Hispanics in relation to health issues. In general, culturally sensitive health services are based on the identification of not only community-based particularities but also individual and relationship-centered concerns of a specific population or culture (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2021).

For that matter, it is important to identify who might be a supporting resource for the obese Hispanic population in their attempts to lose weight and improve health. Indeed, Garcia et al. (2019) state that intergenerational interventions for weight loss might be a significant resource for motivating healthy behaviors in obese individuals. Furthermore, these populations might obtain assistance in maintaining healthy behaviors through religious communities, which play a significant role in the life of the Hispanic population. Thus, these factors should be appropriately incorporated into the educational program to inform consistently and reinforce healthy behaviors.

Conclusion

In summary, relationships and expectations in the cultural context play a pivotal role in human health. For the Hispanic population disproportionately prone to obesity, the perceptions of heavy weight as a health indicator, tolerance toward a sedentary lifestyle, and insufficiently nutritious diet inform their needs. As for the enablers, the lack of access to healthy produce and strong reliance on a family that tolerates obesity might have a negative impact on healthy habits development. Access to sporting facilities, health care, and online health information serve as positive enablers. Moreover, community support, religious affiliations, and intergenerational ties are the nurturers of successful weight-loss program implementation.

References

Alert, M. D., Saab, P. G., Llabre, M. M., & McCalla, J. R. (2019). Are self-efficacy and weight perception associated with physical activity and sedentary behavior in Hispanic adolescents?. Health Education & Behavior, 46(1), 53-62.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Cultural competence in health and human services. Web.

Garcia, M. L., Gatdula, N., Bonilla, E., Frank, G. C., Bird, M., Rascón, M. S., & Rios-Ellis, B. (2019). Engaging intergenerational Hispanics/Latinos to examine factors influencing childhood obesity using the PRECEDE–PROCEED model. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 23(6), 802-810.

Lindberg, N. M., Stevens, V. J., & Halperin, R. O. (2013). Weight-loss interventions for Hispanic populations: The role of culture. Journal of Obesity, 1-7.

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