Lessons learned by adapting and implementing LUCHA: a deep-structure culturally tailored healthy eating randomized...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Nutrition Science
• Health Behavior

Background:

• Dietary quality and behaviors are critical for Latino health.
• Culturally tailored interventions are needed to address specific needs within diverse Latino communities.
• Previous interventions may not adequately address the cultural nuances of various Latino subgroups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To adapt and implement LUCHA (Latinos United for a Culturally Healthy Alimentation), a pilot intervention.
• To improve dietary quality and behaviors among Latinos in Massachusetts.
• To identify lessons learned for future culturally tailored digital health programs, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Main Methods:

• A culturally adaptive framework based on the Theory of Reasoned Action/Planned Behavior was used.
• 75 Latino adults were randomized to receive either control (surface-level) or intervention (deep-structure, ethnically tailored) text messages for 4 months.
• Data were collected via questionnaires and clinical measurements at baseline, 2 months, and 4 months, adapting to in-person and virtual methods due to COVID-19.

Main Results:

• The LUCHA intervention provided valuable lessons for adapting and implementing healthy eating programs.
• Challenges and opportunities were identified, informing recommendations for future digital health initiatives.
• Specific recommendations include enhancing language capabilities and utilizing familiar communication platforms for diverse ethnic groups.

Conclusions:

• Deep-structure cultural messaging is essential for effective nutrition programs targeting diverse Latino populations.
• The LUCHA intervention offers a model that can inform the development of similar programs for other ethnic groups.
• Cultural adaptation is key to improving dietary quality and behaviors in minority health initiatives.