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Community and Public Health Nutrition (Poster Session)

(P20-053-24) A Needs Assessment of Community Centers in Mexicali for the Implementation of a Family-Based Healthy Lifestyle Program: The Athletes for Life (AFL) Program

Monday, July 1, 2024
12:45 PM – 1:45 PM CT
Location: Poster Board 546
Disclosure(s):
Alva Nidia Laprada Villegas, MSc: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.


Objectives:

Background: Community centers are promising locations to promote health and wellbeing in underserved communities. Yet, little is known about how to develop sustainable health promotion programs in these settings. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the needs of the members of Mexicali's community centers, Centros de Desarrollo Humano Integral (CDHI), using qualitative methodology to determine acceptability, barriers to participation, interests and knowledge of nutrition and physical activity programs for children and families.

Methods: In-person semi-structured interviews with community members (e.g., directors, coordinators, staff, users and potential users of the CDHI) were guided by the socio-ecological model. NVivo software was used for data analysis, as well as descriptive statistics to characterize the interviews.

Results: A total of 37 individuals were interviewed in 9 CDHI: 26 parents and 11 key informant staff members from the centers. The CDHI offer underserved communities a space for programs, recreational (e.g., educational, occupational, sports, artistic) and health care activities. The main need expressed by the center members was the lack of programs that involved the joint participation of parents and children. The main barrier for parent’s participation in programs was the lack of time due to their workload; however, the majority expressed interest and commitment to participate. In addition, the coordinators indicated the successful CDHI programs may come from the attitude and commitment of the instructors and their implementation strategies.

Conclusions: Qualitative data support the need to develop and implement feasible and sustainable nutrition and physical activity programs in the Mexicali community centers.

Funding Sources: Research scientists from Autonomous University of Baja California and San Diego State University.