Overweight in Latino/Hispanic adolescents: scope of the problem and nursing implications.
Latino/Hispanic adolescents have the highest prevalence of overweight in this country. Causes of ethnic variation may include differences in the level of acculturation, ethnic beliefs, differences in ideal body images, lack of appreciation of weight management, questionable literacy levels, and/or socioeconomic status. Improved knowledge of behavioral, social-cultural, and environmental determinants of overweight individuals among adolescent Latino/Hispanics will increase the effectiveness and direction of these interventions to prevent and treat this epidemic. Research is needed to determine which interventions may specifically be most effective for preventing this overweight status. This article summarizes variables that have an impact on Latino/Hispanic youth and identifies potential strategies for pediatric nurses to use in addressing this health matter most efficaciously.
Harrington
Susan
S
William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, USA.
D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015984:Causality; D004522:Educational Status; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008403:Mass Screening; D020380:Needs Assessment; D024802:Nurse's Role; D050177:Overweight / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015995:Prevalence; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology