Learning Objectives

After completion of this module students will be able to:

• Describe program design for culturally relevant interventions.
• Explore barriers to universal interventions.
• Identify elements of program development and evaluation that are critical to Hispanic families.

Key Concepts - Culturally Relevant:

Culturally Relevant Program Development

• There are a variety of types of interventions that aim to change a behavior.
• With tailored interventions, program developers need to, first, understand the needs of the target audience (via focus groups, needs assessments).
• Hispanics are the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States.
• Childhood obesity and other consequences (e.g., diabetes) are increasing in Hispanic families.
• Tailoring an intervention could involve analyzing preferences, translation, and other ways to modify an existing curriculum OR designing a curriculum specific to this population.
• Tailored interventions also require building relationships with target communities (showing mutual respect, assessing their needs) and considering strengths and barriers for target population.

Key Concepts - Abriendo Caminos: Preventing

• Abriendo Caminos uses a sociocultural approach to prevent obesity and increasing wellness in Hispanic families.
• Family is a critical focus for Hispanic families, so utilizing strength-based focus on families is important for this population.
• Program developers have worked to build relationships with and among participants because of the research revealing the importance of social support.
• Research with the program has shown that after participating, children in the families increased fruit and vegetable intake and reduced sugar sweetened beverage intake.
• Researchers attribute effectiveness of this program to the following design strategies: use of bilingual materials/facilitators, family based activities, literacy appropriate materials, and social support.
• Limitations of research with the program include the sample was limited to a few regions in the Midwest and may not be generalizable.

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Video Microlectures

• Video: Culturally Relevant Interventions
  Angela Wiley, Department of Human Developmet and Family Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Video: Abriendo Caminos: Preventing Obesity in Latino Families Program
  Amber Hammons, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, California State University, Fresno

Optional Readings

• Hammons, A., Wiley, A., Fiese, B., & Teran, M. (2013). Six week Latino family prevention pilot program effectively promotes healthy behaviors and reduces obesogenic behaviors. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 45 (6), 745-750.