Nutrition Intervention to Hispanic Groups: Pilot Studies with Children and Caregivers

Childhood obesity is a pressing public health issue, especially in the Hispanic community. Two pilot studies were performed; Study 1 was performed to assess the effect of a nutrition education intervention on the nutrition-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of Hispanic children in an after-school program. Nutrition educational lessons were administered 1 h per week. Evaluation was conducted as a baseline Pre-test, a Post-test (following the last session) and a 4-month follow-up. Children showed a significant decrease in the consumption of less-healthy foods from the time of the Pre-test to the Post-test measure (P < .05) and could identify healthy foods. Study 2 was performed to assess the effect of a nutrition education intervention on Hispanic children's caregivers' willingness to engage in healthy behaviors. Caregivers increased their willingness to engage in healthy behaviors (P < .05). This indicates that knowledge and attitudes about foods can be altered, and that caregiver education is needed so to ensure that healthy foods are available in a child's diet and to reinforce positive attitudes about foods.