Finding Balance: Insights from Mexican Heritage Families on Living a Healthy Lifestyle in New York City

Obesity disproportionately affects Hispanic adults and children, especially Mexican Americans. Family-centered interventions (FCIs) for weight loss and obesity prevention tailored to these populations are lacking. Our study (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07144800) aims to develop a multicomponent culturally tailored FCI for Hispanic American families. To inform intervention development, we conducted 6 Spanish language focus groups with 31 parents/caregivers with overweight or obesity who were recruited from a Hispanic community-serving health services program in New York City. Using rapid qualitative data analysis of focus group content, 4 themes emerged: (1) Navigating a mixture of cultures: children were more rapidly acculturating to U.S. norms, resulting in tensions over food choices; (2) Family functioning and parenting styles: parents saw themselves as leaders/role models, balancing guidance with flexibility around children's preferences; (3) Challenges to maintaining healthy habits: maintaining healthy diets and regular physical activity for the family was influenced by internal factors (limited motivation, low prioritization) and external pressures (work hours/time, limited financial resources); and (4) Building on an existing foundation of knowledge: participants had knowledge and awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle, which they were eager to build on with additional education and peer support. Intervention refinements should focus on leveraging authoritative parenting styles and helping families establish rules and routines around healthy habits, including nutritious and culturally familiar meal planning, and navigating the acculturation gap. Information and resources on low-cost food options and low/no-cost opportunities for physical activity should be provided.