SOCIAL SUPPORT ACROSS GENERATIONS: ADVANCING THE HEALTH OF LATINAS

Abstract

Purposes/Aims: Latinas are particularly prone to declines in physical activity and associated co-morbid conditions; approaches that address developmental and contextual changes across the lifespan suggest that a number of factors may converge at passage points that contribute to this problem. Transitional periods bring a number of changes that may trigger and maintain decreased physical activity, and it is most likely the interaction among multiple factors that determines propensity for excess energy intake, sedentary behavior, and risk of developing obesity.

Rationale/Conceptual Basis/Background: This symposium presents the results of programmatic efforts toward specifying the design of culturally-embedded social support interventions to increase physical activity across generations among Latinas. The presentations are designed to address knowledge development through their focus on programmatic research and systematic review and synthesis of empirical literature, to explicate: 1) integration of community and academic programs that target public health needs; 2) social and contextual resources for older Latinas in a theory-based intervention; 3) operationalization of critical inputs of a social support intervention in older and younger Latinas; and 4) the use of treatment/evaluation theory in the design of a culturally-embedded intervention for older Latinas. As a whole, the symposium is intended to foster dialog specific to the design of culturally-relevant interventions, and to outline innovative approaches for knowledge development specific to health promotion among Latinas.

Methods: Knowledge guiding translational research in physical activity requires exploration of the causal, contributing, and contextual factors associated with health promoting behaviors. Research regarding the causal, contributing, and contextual factors associated with physical activity behavior may be particularly relevant for Latinas, many of whom are inactive, at high risk for chronic illness, and face language, cultural, and social barriers to health promotion efforts. To meet the public health needs of vulnerable communities, clear and active partnerships between academic and community settings are needed. The integration of community and academic programs that target public health needs will be presented.

Results and Implications: Divergent theoretical models and approaches have been used to guide intervention design for health promotion. However, few have explicated the cultural, social and contextual resources of Latinas. The testing of a culturally relevant theory to describe a moderate intensity physical activity in older Latinas will be presented. The corresponding approach to operationalizing the culturally relevant differences in operationaliziing social support critical inputs across older and younger Latinas to in an intervention to promote walking in Latinas will be described. The design of a physical activity among Hispanic women, Mujeres en Accion por Su Salud [Women in Action for Their Health] will also be described. These efforts are central to advancing the science of culturally-relevant, acceptable, and effective interventions for health promotion among Hispanic women.