580 - Reflections of Hispanic adolescents participating in a whole family healthy weight program: a qualitative study

Publication Number: 4568.580

Matthew Haemer, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Greenwood Village, CO, United States; Emily Steen, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States; Perla Y. Bracamontes, University of Colorado Anschutz Campus, AURORA, CO, United States; richard Boles, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States; Lauren Shomaker, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States; Monica P. Jolles, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States

Background: Few childhood obesity interventions have been developed for Hispanic families and even fewer have reached the entire family. The Healthy Living Program (HeLP) or La Vida Saludable is an intensive bilingual obesity prevention and treatment program, designed for low-income Hispanic families and centered on the value Familism. The entire family of a child with obesity can participate (i.e. siblings, parents, and other adult caregivers). The program meets twice a week for 6-weeks at recreation centers and offers components targeting 2-5, 6-11, and 12-16year-olds and adult caregivers. Youth 12-16 years learn about nutrition, practice culinary skills, engage in fitness, and learn mindfulness skills, a novel socio-emotional component of obesity treatment for adolescents.

Objective: To assess adolescents' views of their experiences during HeLP with a focus on understanding program components they found most helpful, facilitators of acceptability, translation of knowledge/skills to their daily lives after the program, and possible improvements.

Design/Methods: We conducted 10 semi-structured interviews with youth 12-16 years who completed their participation in HeLP. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. Data were analyzed using rapid qualitative analysis. Interviews were coded by two team members who were aligned in their coding through shared understanding, clear code definitions, and iterative feedback. The study team held ongoing meetings to review the process, to categorize text, and to select participant quotes that exemplified the identified areas of inquiry. Quality assurance methods included review by two researchers, calibration and discussion, and documentation of coding decisions.

Results: Adolescents shared that the program met (6 of 10 participants) or exceeded (4 of 10) their expectations. See Table 2 for quotations illustrating the themes that emerged. Aspects of HeLP that youth identified as most helpful included: mindful breathing exercises, social and family support, and fun activities. They also described factors that contributed to group cohesion and enhanced acceptability/credibility of HeLP, including: parent participation, social connections, and cultural factors that facilitated acceptance. Youth also reported continuing to use knowledge and skills following completion of the program and suggested areas for potential improvement.

Conclusion(s): Qualitative data showed that HeLP met or exceeded youths' expectations. Youth found novel aspects of the program including the mindful breathing exercises and the support fostered by the whole family design to be most helpful. R01 DK130176

Table 1: Demographics


Table 2: Adolescents' Experiences with Supporting Quotes