Bridging Research and Policy to Address Childhood Obesity Among Border Hispanics

Autor: Marcia G. Ory, Laura Treviño, Chanam Lee, David Irizarry, Matthew Lee Smith, Nelda Mier, Genny Carrillo-Zuniga
Rok vydání: 2013
Předmět:
Zdroj: American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 44:S208-S214
ISSN: 0749-3797
DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2012.11.013
Popis: Background Mexican-American children are disproportionately affected by obesity compared to other population groups. Although national guidelines recommend using environmental and policy approaches to address this public health issue, the majority of Mexican-American children do not meet physical activity recommendations. Purpose To describe a knowledge transfer process involving local decision makers to address childhood obesity and physical activity needs among low-income, Mexican-American children and to examine environmental policy recommendations generated in this process. Methods This pilot study employed a qualitative research design that included the dissemination of primary research data to local decision makers in the Texas–Mexico border region. Stakeholders attending public meetings were briefed about a research project reporting on the physical activity needs of Mexican-American children from impoverished neighborhoods known as colonias . Seventy-four stakeholders responded to an unstructured questionnaire and proposed policy recommendations. Data were collected January–April 2011 and analyzed July–September 2011. Data were analyzed using a content analysis technique. Results Four policy themes emerged from the data: (1) establishing sustainable community-based health programs; (2) improving neighborhood infrastructure and safety; (3) increasing access to parks; and (4) supporting community organizations to disseminate health education to parents and children. Conclusions Knowledge transfer processes planned and facilitated by researchers at public meetings with local decision makers are effective methods to influence policy development related to childhood obesity.
Databáze: OpenAIRE