title: Developing a Culturally Sensitive Lifestyle Behavior Change Program for Older Latinas.
abstract: Despite the burgeoning U.S. Latino population and their increased risk of chronic disease, little emphasis had been placed on developing culturally sensitive lifestyle interventions in this area. This article examines older Latinas' sociocultural context relative to health with the goal of developing a culturally sensitive health behavior intervention. Photo-elicitation indicated two emerging themes that influenced lifestyle choices: family caregiving and religion. Researchers partnered with a faith-based organization to develop and implement a 6-month lifestyle intervention for Latinas ages 50 and older: Abuelas en Acción (AEA). At completion, interviews were conducted to understand women's experiences and the influence AEA had on their lifestyles and health. Findings suggest that religious content empowered and deeply affected women; however, the intergenerational content presented significant challenges for instruction, retention, and implementation. We discuss findings in relation to the health intervention literature and provide suggestions for future interventions drawing on religion, family, and health behavior change.
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA andiara@illinois.edu.
authors.forename: Andiara
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schwingel
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Deborah E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Linares
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gálvez
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Brynn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Adamson
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aguayo
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bobitt
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Yvette
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Castañeda
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Emerson
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sebastião
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: David X
authors.initials: DX
authors.lastname: Marquez
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002641:Chicago; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D054521:Cultural Competency; D005190:Family / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D010781:Photography; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012067:Religion; D016387:Women's Health / Q000208:ethnology*
keywords: Latino / Hispanic people; Mexican Americans; Promotoras; behavior change; community-based programs; culture / cultural competency; families / caregiving; health and well-being; health promotion; nutrition; physical activity; religion / spirituality; stress; visual methods; women’s health