Mexican-origin male perspectives of diet-related behaviors associated with weight management

Background:Prevalence rates of obesity and related diseases are quickly reaching epidemic proportions among Hispanic males in the United States. Hispanic males suffer from the highest prevalence of obesity-related diseases when compared to all other racial/ethnic groups. Despite evidence showing that weight loss can significantly reduce the risk of obesity-related health implications, literature informing best practices to engage Hispanic males in weight management programs is scarce.Purpose:The purpose of the current study was to engage Spanish-speaking, Mexican-origin males with overweight or obesity to examine their perspectives of diet-related behaviors related to weight management.Methods:Demographic and acculturation data were collected using questionnaires. Fourteen semistructured interviews were completed with an all-Spanish-speaking cohort of men (age: 45.0±9.8 years; BMI: 34.2±6.5 kg m−2) who were born outside of the United States. We conducted a thematic analysis using a hybrid deductive-inductive analysis strategy using a previously developed codebook that was updated during iterative analysis of interview transcripts.Results:Participants reported that healthful eating habits were hindered, among other factors, by lack of knowledge, sociocultural norms and conceptualizations of masculinity. Viable diet-related intervention approaches also surfaced, including building consciousness, promotion of traditional knowledge and the integration of the family in interventions.Conclusion:Findings suggest that Spanish-speaking, Mexican-origin men have interest in actively engaging in behavior changes that improve their dietary habits and engage in weight management. Our findings yield valuable insights that can be used to formulate tailored intervention strategies to improve obesity prevention and treatment programs for this vulnerable subgroup.

背景：在美国，西班牙裔男性中肥胖及相关疾病的患病率正迅速达到流行程度。与所有其他种族/族裔群体相比，西班牙裔男性患肥胖相关疾病的患病率最高。尽管有证据表明减肥可显著降低肥胖相关健康问题的风险，但有关让西班牙裔男性参与体重管理计划的最佳实践的文献却很匮乏。 目的：本研究的目的是让超重或肥胖的讲西班牙语的墨西哥裔男性参与进来，以考察他们对与体重管理相关的饮食行为的看法。 方法：使用问卷收集人口统计学和文化适应数据。对一群全部讲西班牙语且出生在美国境外的男性（年龄：45.0±9.8岁；体重指数：34.2±6.5 kg/m²）完成了14次半结构化访谈。我们使用一种混合演绎 - 归纳分析策略进行主题分析，该策略使用了一个先前开发的编码手册，该手册在对访谈记录进行迭代分析期间得到了更新。 结果：参与者报告称，除其他因素外，缺乏知识、社会文化规范以及对男子气概的概念化阻碍了健康的饮食习惯。可行的与饮食相关的干预方法也浮现出来，包括提高意识、推广传统知识以及将家庭纳入干预措施。 结论：研究结果表明，讲西班牙语的墨西哥裔男性有兴趣积极改变行为以改善其饮食习惯并进行体重管理。我们的研究结果提供了有价值的见解，可用于制定针对性的干预策略，以改善针对这一弱势群体的肥胖预防和治疗方案。