title: Determinants of Obesity in the Hispanic Preschool Population: An Integrative Review.
abstract: The purpose of this integrative review was to identify factors associated with obesity in Hispanic preschool children.
  
  
  
  Integrative research review based on strategies described by Whittemore and Knafl. Thirty-five research reports using qualitative and/or quantitative methods and including a majority of participants (parents or preschool-aged children) of Hispanic ethnicity.
  
  
  
  Data were analyzed using the Matrix Method.
  
  
  
  Decreased physical activity of the child and increased maternal body mass index were found as contributors to obesity in the preschool, Hispanic population. The relationship between maternal feeding practices and beliefs, food choices and childhood obesity are widely studied with little consistency in findings across studies.
  
  
  
  Public health nurses can work with communities to promote physical activity and safe outdoor places for exercise. In addition, they can advocate for the availability of healthy food choices in neighborhood schools. Maternal feeding practices, acculturation, and the child's environment require further research.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Rush University, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Innella
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Rush University, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Breitenstein
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Rush University, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Rebekah
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Rush University, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Rush University, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Diane B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: McNaughton
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015444:Exercise; D005518:Food Preferences; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000209:etiology*; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D014481:United States
keywords: Hispanic Americans; child health; obesity