Buenos Hábitos Alimenticios para Una Buena Salud Evaluation of a Nutrition Education Program to Improve Heart Health and Brain Health in Latinas

• Published in: Journal of aging and health Vol. 27; no. 1; pp. 177 - 192
• Main Authors: Otilingam, Poorni G., Gatz, Margaret, Tello, Elizabeth, Escobar, Antonio Jose, Goldstein, Aviva, Torres, Mina, Varma, Rohit
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.02.2015; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cardiovascular disease; Cardiovascular Diseases - prevention & control; Dementia; Dementia - prevention & control; Diabetes; Diet; Diet - ethnology; Diet - psychology; Dietary Fats - administration & dosage; Female; Health Education - methods; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice - ethnology; Health Literacy - statistics & numerical data; Hispanic Americans; Hispanic Americans - education; Hispanic Americans - psychology; Hispanic Americans - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Middle Aged; Nutrition education; Nutritional Sciences - education; Obesity; Program Evaluation; outcomes evaluation; community-based participatory research; diabetes; Latino; obesity
• ISSN: 0898-2643; 1552-6887
• DOI: 10.1177/0898264314549660

Objective: The goal of this research was to evaluate nutrition education targeting Latinas, a group at particular risk of obesity and diabetes, which predict to later life cardiovascular disease and dementia. Method: Culturally tailored, theory-based nutrition education was provided to Mexican origin Latinas aged 48 to 84. The randomized design compared participants in workshops incorporating the connection between dietary fat and brain health, participants in workshops focusing only on dietary fat and heart health, a waitlist control group, and a posttest only control group. Results: Among those assigned to either intervention, there was statistically significant gain in health literacy, knowledge about dietary fat, and behaviors to reduce dietary fat compared with waitlist control. There was no difference in outcomes between those given the module about diet and brain health and those not provided that module. Discussion: A program to encourage dietary fat modification in Latinas proved feasible and modestly effective.