title: Latino family childcare providers' beliefs, attitudes, and practices related to promotion of healthy behaviors among preschool children: a qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The continuing rise of obesity among Latinos is a public health concern with an immediate need for early prevention. Changes in family structures have increased demand and reliance for child care for young children. Latino children are the fastest-growing segment of the child population in the United States, and research shows that Latino families use preschools and day care centers much less than those of other ethnic groups, apparently because of cultural preferences for family-like care.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Given that many low income Latino children attend family child care homes (FCCHs), there is a need to explore the role that FCCH providers may play in establishing and reinforcing children's early healthful eating and physical activity behaviors and consequently in the prevention of childhood obesity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using purposive sampling, six focus groups were conducted in Spanish with licensed Latino FCCH providers (n = 44). Data was analyzed to identify recurrent themes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Latino FCCH providers described how they play an influential role in promoting healthful eating and physical activity behaviors of preschool children in their care. They also identified many barriers and challenges in establishing and maintaining healthful nutrition and physical activity behaviors, including high cost of healthy foods, cold weather, and physical environment of FCCH.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Latino FCCH providers can have a strong impact in promoting healthful behaviors in low-income, Latino communities. They may be able to effectively deliver interventions targeting low-income, minority families to promote healthful eating and physical activity behaviors and prevent child obesity.
authors: Department of Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125, USA ; Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors: Ana C
authors: AC
authors: Lindsay
authors: Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors: Judith A
authors: JA
authors: Salkeld
authors: University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA.
authors: Mary L
authors: ML
authors: Greaney
authors: University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA.
authors: Faith D
authors: FD
authors: Sands
mesh_terms: D002656:Child Day Care Centers; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts; D009753:Nutritive Value; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012931:Social Environment; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology