Qualitative Health Research
Volume 19, Issue 9, 2009, Pages 1259-1272

Health materials and strategies for the prevention of immigrants' weight-related problems (Article)

Ferrari M.* , Tweed S. , Anneke Rummens J. , Skinner H.A. , McVey G.
  • a Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, Community Health Systems Resource Group, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
  • b Community Health Systems Resource Group, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
  • c Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
  • d Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
  • e Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, Community Health Systems Resource Group, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada

Abstract

Existing health education materials dealing with healthy eating, active living, and body image were examined by immigrant parents of elementary school children to determine their relevance, cultural competence, and accessibility. A total of 13 immigrant mothers from Sri Lanka and China participated in a series of three focus groups. Study findings indicate that the present health education materials intended to help prevent weight-related problems could be improved to better meet the needs of new immigrant families. Immigrant mothers who participated in the study expressed their preferences for health education materials and prevention interventions undertaken in a culturally relevant/competent, knowledge-sharing, participatory manner. Acting on these suggestions could help practitioners and public health agencies develop more effective strategies that meet the requirements of ethno-cultural immigrant communities.

Author Keywords

Weight management Orevention immigrants Obesity Health promotion Health education Eating disorders

Index Keywords

information processing education cultural anthropology China immigrant health promotion human statistics and numerical data obesity priority journal feeding behavior maternal attitude ethnology cultural competence qualitative research Sri Lanka school child migrant psychology family life Humans weight reduction Canada Emigrants and Immigrants preschool child female preventive health service Mothers Article Ontario awareness mother health education adult health care access body weight health care need Health Services Accessibility attitude to health Weight Loss Focus Groups Culture health care delivery Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-69249131328&doi=10.1177%2f1049732309344181&partnerID=40&md5=8287fe3d2f911fc96238e46165f70396
DOI: 10.1177/1049732309344181
ISSN: 10497323
Cited by: 12
Original Language: English