Acculturation among Latino Primary Caregivers and Physician Communication: Receipt of Advice Regarding Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors

The present study was part of a larger randomized controlled childhood obesity prevention trial based in 11 public recreation centers. The primary aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of a multi-level intervention to prevent the onset of overweight and obesity among children (5-8 years of age). However, the purpose of the current study was to identify sociodemographic variables, such as acculturation, that were associated with receipt of physician advice among Latino primary caregivers. Participants included 221 Latino primary caregivers and their children from San Diego, CA. Cross-sectional baseline data suggested that Latino children with private insurance were more likely to receive physician advice regarding their eating habits. Conversely, primary caregivers between the ages of 30-39 were less likely to receive physician advice regarding their child's eating habits. Current findings highlight the continued need to improve preventive efforts and reduce health disparities among a vulnerable population, such as Latinos.