Nutrition Effects of a Family-Centered Health Promotion Program for Mexican-Heritage Children in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas.

ABSTRACT: Systemic and social factors, like poverty and food insecurity, negatively influence fruit and vegetable (FV) intake and body mass index (BMI) among Latino/a children. Behavioral programs are needed to support children's nutrition. This study examined program effects on FV intake and BMI outcomes for Mexican-heritage children (9-11 years). The program used a modified stepped-wedge design in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas (2019 and 2020). Promotoras led experiential nutrition education sessions and collected height, weight, and instant skin carotenoid scores (biomarker for FV intake) at pre-test (baseline), post-test (6 weeks), and maintenance (3-4 months after post-test). Mean changes and group differences in skin carotenoid scores, BMI z-scores and percentiles were obtained fr

SUBMITTER: Laviolette C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10097021 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature