The Community Active and Healthy Families program, initiated in 2010, aims to improve the health of Latino immigrant families by promoting healthier lifestyles. This evidence-based weight management program, adapted by Lisa Ross DeCamp, MD, MSPH, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, is designed to be accessible directly within Latino communities.
The program addresses the high rates of childhood obesity among U.S.-born children of Latino immigrant parents, which stands at approximately 40%.
The initiative involves a collaborative effort between pediatricians, dietitians, and Latino community health workers known as promotoras. These health workers play a crucial role in guiding families through their health or weight-loss journeys. The program offers various community-based activities, including cooking classes at Children’s Hospital Colorado, which teach families how to prepare healthy meals on a budget.
Ross DeCamp emphasizes the importance of providing a comfortable, non-medical setting for families to start thinking about making lifestyle changes. “We know that Latino communities, and other racial, ethnic minority youth, are at higher risk of obesity and then at higher risk of experiencing health complications,” she said.
The program also aims to reach families in rural areas by partnering with Aurora Community Connection, ensuring that the culturally sensitive program is delivered directly to those in need.
The program’s success is evident, with 14 families participating in eight sessions led in Spanish by bilingual and bicultural community health workers. This initiative highlights the importance of building trust within underserved communities and tailoring health programs to meet their specific needs.
See “Program Promotes Healthy Lifestyle Changes for Latino Children” (August 23, 2024)