Presentation
Using community-based participatory research to support increased compliance to DASH diet recommendations in immigrant, Hispanic/Latinx individuals with cardiovascular disease and obesity
International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity: Annual Conference 2023
(2023)
Abstract
Purpose: The primary aim of this project is to determine preference-based, culturally-appropriate fruits/vegetables (F/V) meeting the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet recommendations for immigrant, Hispanic/Latinx individuals with hypertension and obesity via a phased, iterative process. Methods: Phase 1, the initial conceptualization of a culturally-appropriate, medically-tailored “DASH box” utilized a 21-question survey of validated tools to understand patient demographics, social determinants of health, and F/V preference. The survey was administered to 49 patients or providers at a community health clinic, originating from varying Latin American countries. Phase 1 informed the development of 3 F/V boxes consisting of culturally appropriate, high-preference F/V in varying modalities (fresh, frozen, canned) and 3 F/V boxes with culturally-appropriate, high carotenoid F/V in varying modalities utilized in the next phase of the study. Phase 2, or the formative intervention, includes 7 individual interviews to gather qualitative feedback on the DASH box contents and perceptions of health. Results/findings: For the 38 women (78%) and 11 men (22%) who completed surveys, highest preferences for fruits were mango (58.3%), watermelon (52.1%), and banana (47.9%), and vegetable preferences included tomato (41.7%), cucumber (43.8%), and lettuce (37.5%). In the patient sample, 41.7% reported food insecurity, and 46.9% indicated they were unable to afford healthful foods for balanced meals. Emerging themes from the formative interviews show participants prefer fresh F/V to frozen, with little preference for canned foods. The F/V boxes continuing all fresh items were unanimously preferred over other boxes with some frozen or canned foods. Additionally, all participants expressed that “the foods in the box were appropriate for their culture”, and interviewee 3 said, “all of the [boxes] have something good, I think that the best option is the most natural”. Financial and transportation barriers were identified as challenges to obtaining F/V in the diet.
Conclusions: Little research displays the work highlighting community opinions to encompass cultural food preferences. Our study provides formative contributions to research regarding culturally-appropriate fruit and vegetable preferences in a Hispanic/Latinx community.
Disciplines
Publication Date
June, 2023
Location
Uppsala, Sweden
Citation Information
Ambria Crusan, Kerrie Roozen and Anayeli Remache. "Using community-based participatory research to support increased compliance to DASH diet recommendations in immigrant, Hispanic/Latinx individuals with cardiovascular disease and obesity" International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity: Annual Conference 2023 (2023) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/ambria-crusan/31/