Engaging Caregivers in School-Based Obesity Prevention Initiatives in a Predominantly Latino Immigrant Community: A Qualitative Analysis.
To explore caregiver perceptions of, and barriers and facilitators to, their involvement in school-based obesity prevention programs in underserved Latino immigrant communities.



Focus groups discussions were conducted with caregivers (n = 42) at 7 elementary schools with an academic partnership-based obesity prevention program. Thematic analysis was used to identify key findings in the data.



Caregivers described their role as (1) learners of new and often complex health information using their children as primary messengers and (2) champions within their homes in which healthier choices are assimilated. Barriers to involvement included lack of time, financial pressures, unhealthy family practices, and concern that attempts to engage peers would be perceived as intrusive. Facilitators included assurance that stigmatizing health issues would be addressed with sensitivity.



Caregiver involvement in obesity prevention may be fostered by transmitting information through children, addressing cultural barriers, and avoiding potentially stigmatizing approaches to delivering health messages.
Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, Children's Hospital of New York, New York, NY. Electronic address: eb283@columbia.edu.
Evelyn
E
Berger-Jenkins
Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL.
Elizabeth
E
Jarpe-Ratner
Steinhardt School of Education, New York University, New York, NY.
Margaret
M
Giorgio
Ambulatory Care Network, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY.
Alexa
A
Squillaro
Pediatrics, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY.
Mary
M
McCord
Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, Children's Hospital of New York, New York, NY.
Dodi
D
Meyer
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004522:Educational Status; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012572:School Health Services; D055815:Young Adult
Latino immigrant; caregiver; obesity; school, health promotion