This is a series of five culturally sensitive and relevant educational pamphlets that can help immigrant Asian parents understand how they can adapt to a new environment and food supply in a way that will foster the health and welfare of their children. These materials were developed with the purpose of reducing the risk of adult and child obesity among specific Asian immigrant populations.
In collaboration with county staff, the University of California Berkeley Cooperative Extension used focus groups to identify the needs and interests of non-English speaking food stamp recipients about childhood overweight. The results of the focus groups were used to design a series of culturally sensitive and relevant educational materials that can help immigrant parents understand how to adapt to a new environment and food supply to foster the health and welfare of their children. The educational materials were pilot-tested with small groups of parents for cognitive knowledge, change in attitudes about overweight in children, and any intentions to change family health behaviors.
This series of pamphlets is designed to assist immigrant Asian parents with household management skills to reduce their child’s risk of becoming overweight, while keeping culture integrity and pride.
Each of the large pamphlets is a four page booklet with a one page insert. Topics include:
- Healthy Food Options: What to Eat More of and What to Eat Less Of
- Fast Food and Soft Drinks: How to Make Healthier Choices
- Healthy Weight for My Child
- Children Need to Play & Move Their Bodies Everyday
- Balancing TV & Computer Time with Play Time
Each pamphlet contains participatory activities, with lists and questions to answer based on their lives, and tips and advice on how to incorporate basic changes to render healthier lifestyle for their families. The one page insert contains guidance for parents on how to talk and listen to their children, and involve them in making changes as well.
While no specific dietary advice is given, one of the pamphlets divides common Asian and American foods into MyPyramid categories, and then divides them into – foods to eat often, sometimes and rarely. This pamphlet is specific for each population, because of the differences in foods consumed. At the tops of these lists are the foods most customary to the specific groups. Another brochure describes how to make healthier food choices when eating out.