The influence of acculturation and stress on obesity in US latino dyads using systems science.

Abstract

Objective: Pediatric obesity continues to grow in the US Latino population despite public health efforts. Little work has explored the link between acculturation and stress across caregiver-child dyads using systems science.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were completed with US Latino dyads made up of foreign-born caregivers and US-born children (8-13 years). Participants were recruited from a pediatric weight management clinic in Durham, NC. Interviews were guided by system support mapping to illustrate interconnected components of the child's weight management journey. Maps were thematically coded by responsibilities, needs, resources, wishes. Codes were aggregated across caregivers and children, respectively, and frequency of themes were calculated.

Results: 14 dyads completed interviews. Children reported 17 aspects of health within their responsibility, with a focus on physical activity. Children were unaware of available resources beyond their caregivers. Caregivers reported 26 unique responsibilities, with overlap between basic needs and living in low-resource environments. Immigration and acculturation status were major barriers and sources of stress relevant to aspects of the system support map.

Conclusions: Immigration and acculturation status impede pediatric weight management and increase stress in US Latino caregiver-child dyads. Future studies should consider immigration and acculturation status in caregivers and children as a mediator of treatment outcomes.