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Exploring How the Home Environment Influences Eating and Physical Activity Habits of Low-Income, Latino Children of Predominantly Immigrant Families: A Qualitative Study

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  • Ana Cristina Lindsay

    (Department of Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts–Boston, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125, USA
    Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA)

  • Sherrie F. Wallington

    (Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA)

  • Faith D. Lees

    (Program in Gerontology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA)

  • Mary L. Greaney

    (Health Studies & Department of Kinesiology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA)

Abstract

Latinos are the largest and fastest growing minority population group in the United States, and children in low-income Latino families are at elevated risk of becoming overweight or having obesity. A child’s home is an important social environment in which he/she develops and maintains dietary and physical activity (PA) habits that ultimately impact weight status. Previous research suggests the parents are central to creating a home environment that facilitates or hinders the development of children’s early healthy eating and PA habits. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore low-income Latino parents’ beliefs, parenting styles, and parenting practices related to their children’s eating and PA behaviors while at home. Methods: Qualitative study using focus group discussions (FGDs) with 33 low-income Latino parents of preschool children 2 to 5 years of age. FGDs were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Data analyses revealed that most parents recognize the importance of healthy eating and PA for their children and themselves. However, daily life demands including conflicting schedules, long working hours, financial constraints, and neighborhood safety concerns, etc., impact parents’ ability to create a home environment supportive of these behaviors. Conclusions: This study provides information about how the home environment may influence low-income Latino preschool children’s eating and PA habits, which may be useful for health promotion and disease prevention efforts targeting low-income Latino families with young children, and for developing home-based and parenting interventions to prevent and control childhood obesity among this population group. Pediatric healthcare providers can play an important role in facilitating communication, providing education, and offering guidance to low-income Latino parents that support their children’s development of early healthy eating and PA habits, while taking into account daily life barriers faced by families. Moreover, pediatric healthcare providers also can play an important role in the integration and coordination of home-visitations to complement office-based visits and provide a continuum of care to low-income Latino families.

Suggested Citation

  • Ana Cristina Lindsay & Sherrie F. Wallington & Faith D. Lees & Mary L. Greaney, 2018. "Exploring How the Home Environment Influences Eating and Physical Activity Habits of Low-Income, Latino Children of Predominantly Immigrant Families: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-13, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:5:p:978-:d:146106
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mojtaba Vaismoradi & Hannele Turunen & Terese Bondas, 2013. "Content analysis and thematic analysis: Implications for conducting a qualitative descriptive study," Nursing & Health Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 15(3), pages 398-405, September.
    2. Kyung Rhee, 2008. "Childhood Overweight and the Relationship between Parent Behaviors, Parenting Style, and Family Functioning," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 615(1), pages 11-37, January.
    3. Christensen, Pia, 2004. "The health-promoting family: a conceptual framework for future research," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 59(2), pages 377-387, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Colleen L. Delaney & Kim Spaccarotella & Virginia Quick & Carol Byrd-Bredbenner, 2021. "A Comparison of Weight-Related Behaviors of Hispanic Mothers and Children by Acculturation Level," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-21, January.
    2. Ana Cristina Lindsay & Carlos André Moura Arruda & Márcia M. Tavares Machado & Gabriela P. De Andrade & Mary L. Greaney, 2018. "Exploring Brazilian Immigrant Mothers’ Beliefs, Attitudes, and Practices Related to Their Preschool-Age Children’s Sleep and Bedtime Routines: A Qualitative Study Conducted in the United States," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-17, September.
    3. Tyler Prochnow & M. Renée Umstattd Meyer & Megan S. Patterson & Megan E. McClendon & Luis Gómez & Stewart G. Trost & Joseph Sharkey, 2020. "Papás Activos : Associations between Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior and Personal Networks among Fathers Living in Texas Colonias," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-13, December.
    4. Francine Overcash & Marla Reicks, 2021. "Diet Quality and Eating Practices among Hispanic/Latino Men and Women: NHANES 2011–2016," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-11, February.
    5. Thaís Vilasboas & Qun Le & Mary L. Greaney & Ana Cristina Lindsay, 2023. "Brazilian Immigrant Parents’ Preferences for Content and Intervention Modalities for the Design of a Family-Based Intervention to Promote Their Preschool-Age Children’s Healthful Energy Balance-Relate," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-12, March.
    6. Elizabeth N. Díaz & Qun Le & Daniel Campos & Jesnny M. Reyes & Julie A. Wright & Mary L. Greaney & Ana Cristina Lindsay, 2022. "Central American Parents’ Preferences for Content and Modality for a Family-Centered Intervention to Promote Healthful Energy Balance-Related Behaviors of Their Preschool-Age Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-13, April.

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