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Objective: This study explored Hispanic/Latino aging adults' interest in and preferences for intergenerational physical activity programming. Methods: We used an exploratory sequential (Qual-QUAN) mixed methods design consisting of three focus groups (N = 13 participants; M age = 62.5 years old) and a quantitative survey (N = 105 participants; M age = 57.3 years old). Results: We found that most participants were interested in intergenerational physical activity programs: (1) to promote overall health and well-being, (2) increase opportunities for socialization and relationships, and (3) foster motivation and energy. Preferences for programming included cultural tailoring, bilingual and Spanish-language offerings, and being conducted in-person. Barriers to physical activity included cost, scheduling, transportation, and limited awareness of community resources. Discussion: Innovative public health initiatives incorporating an intergenerational approach may promote physical activity among aging adults. This study has implications for developing and refining intergenerational programming with Hispanic/Latino communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about deep-structure (i.e., embedded) cultural attitudes toward healthy eating among Hispanics/Latinos in the United States. This study aimed to identify ethnic-specific dietary attitudes of Latino adults and evaluate their associations with self-rated diet and health. Participants (n = 200) were community-based Latinos (25–65 y/o) living in the Boston, Massachusetts metro area who completed a survey assessing agreement with 20 statements on attitudes toward healthy eating (eight positive and 12 negative) and 15 statements on reasons for healthy eating across seven constructs. Multinomial logistic regression models tested the association of sum scores of positive or negative attitudes and reasons for healthy eating with self-rated diet or self-rated health for participants of Caribbean versus Non-Caribbean backgrounds. Most participants of both backgrounds agreed that healthy eating would keep them healthy and make them look good, and that families should eat together. Differences by background were noted in statements regarding eating at special occasions, cost of healthy foods, self-efficacy (i.e., cravings), and cultural beliefs. Negative attitudes were associated with lower odds of better self-rated health for Caribbean, but not for non-Caribbean, participants. Positive attitudes were associated with 1.85 (95% CI [1.10, 3.12]) odds of better self-rated diet for Caribbean participants and 3.13 (95% CI [1.26, 7.81]) for non-Caribbean participants. Non-Caribbean participants were more likely to self-rate very good/excellent diet with higher reasons for healthy eating. Latinos have shared and ethnic-specific deep-structure attitudes toward healthy eating related to their perceived diet quality and health. Programs promoting healthy eating for Latino adults should be deeply tailored by ethnicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hispanic/Latino individuals across the lifespan generally do not engage in enough physical activity. Intergenerational programming is an innovative solution that could improve opportunities for physical activity across the lifespan in a culturally relevant manner; however, few studies have explored perceptions of intergenerational physical activity programming among Hispanic/Latino communities. This pre-implementation study aimed to: (a) explore the perceived benefits, barriers, and facilitators of physical activity among an intergenerational sample of Hispanic/Latino community members and stakeholders and (b) assess interest in intergenerational physical activity programming. This qualitative study consisted of a total of eight focus groups (N = 45 participants): Hispanic/Latino youth (2 groups), their parents (2 groups), older Hispanic/Latino adults (3 groups), and community stakeholders who work with older adults (1 group). We used thematic analysis techniques integrating the Framework Method to compare and contrast perspectives between participant groups. We found that all groups identified physical, mental, and/or social benefits to physical activity. Primary barriers included limited physical accessibility, environmental considerations, and time constraints. Primary facilitators included physical accessibility, programming format, environmental supports, and social support. Overall, there was general interest in intergenerational physical activity programming across all groups. Practitioners are encouraged to: (a) be aware of how different age groups may view and respond to program context, fit, and communications; (b) reflect on their capacity for high-quality implementation, and (c) weigh the costs and benefits of various programming decisions. Findings can be used to design culturally, linguistically, and contextually relevant intergenerational physical activity programming and to promote health equity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To examine the association between diabetes and cognitive function within U.S. Hispanics/Latinos of Central American, Cuban, Dominican, Mexican, Puerto Rican, and South American background. Method: This cross-sectional study included 9,609 men and women (mean age = 56.5 years), who are members of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. We classified participants as having diabetes, prediabetes, or normal glucose regulation. Participants underwent a neurocognitive battery consisting of tests of verbal fluency, delayed recall, and processing speed. Analyses were stratified by Hispanic/Latino subgroup. Results: From fully adjusted linear regression models, compared with having normal glucose regulation, having diabetes was associated with worse processing speed among Cubans (β = −1.99; 95% CI [confidence interval] = [−3.80, −0.19]) and Mexicans (β = −2.26; 95% CI = [−4.02, −0.51]). Compared with having normal glucose regulation, having prediabetes or diabetes was associated with worse delayed recall only among Mexicans (prediabetes: β = −0.34; 95% CI = [−0.63, −0.05] and diabetes: β = −0.41; 95% CI = [−0.79, −0.04]). No associations with verbal fluency. Discussion: The relationship between diabetes and cognitive function varied across Hispanic/Latino subgroup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Racial/ethnic minorities, rural populations, and those with low socioeconomic status income are underrepresented in research in the United States (U.S.). Assessing preferences for recruitment, participation, and the role of beliefs about biomedical research in specific and unique underserved communities represents a potentially critical step in reducing barriers to biomedical research participation. We developed a culturally informed survey to measure factors related to participation, knowledge, expectations, and barriers to biomedical research participation among Latinos living in a U.S. border community. We employed a multidisciplinary team approach to a sequential, three-phase qualitative study that included interviews (n = 35), focus groups (n =24), and "think-aloud" cognitive interviews (n = 5). Our study demonstrates the value of applying multiple qualitative approaches to inform a culturally relevant quantitative survey incorporating words and constructs relevant to the population of interest. The study contributes to qualitative method research paradigms by developing a research protocol that integrates the expertise and perspectives of researchers and community members from multiple disciplines and institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We examined the association between depressive symptoms and cognitive functioning in older Hispanics/Latinos enrolled in an exercise intervention. Method: We analyzed baseline, 1-year, and 2-year in-person interview data collected from Hispanics/Latinos aged ≥60 years participating in an exercise intervention across 27 senior centers (N = 572). Results: Mean age was 73.13 years; 77% female. At baseline, older adults screening positive for depression were 1.58 times more likely to experience cognitive impairment (p = .04); controlling for demographics and comorbid chronic conditions. Compared to peers with little to no depressive symptoms, lower cognitive functioning scores were evident at each follow-up assessment point where elevated depressive symptoms were present, but baseline depression was not associated with cognitive function in longitudinal analyses. Discussion: In older Hispanics/Latinos enrolled in an exercise intervention, though baseline depression did not predict cognitive function over time, elevated symptoms of depression were associated with greater cognitive impairment at every point in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital storytelling is an emergent method in health promotion. It addresses health inequities by combining technology with the voices of members of vulnerable, often underrepresented populations. The overall goal of this pilot project was to explore if digital storytelling could be a culturally relevant health promotion tool for Hispanics/Latinos to share their experiences with cancer, or other diseases. Promotores participated in a train-the-trainer workshop. Community members worked with trained promotores to create digital stories through community workshops. We conducted one-on-one interviews with digital story creators to elicit perspectives and assess their experience. One overarching theme among storytellers was the power of storytelling. Supporting subthemes that emerged in the interviews were (1) connection and communication, (2) lack of opportunities and barriers to telling stories, and (3) potential for disease prevention awareness and education. This study found digital storytelling to be culturally relevant for Hispanics/Latinos of Mexican origin. For these storytellers it was a uniquely valuable tool for sharing personal stories of overcoming or managing health issues. Participants found the digital story experience to be positive and beneficial. It provided a healing outlet to reflect on a difficult experience and find support within one’s own community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although dietary supplement use is common, its assessment is challenging, especially among ethnic minority populations such as Hispanics/ Latinos. Using the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) (n = 16,415), this report compares two strategies for capturing dietary supplement use over a 30-day period: a medication-based inventory and a nutrition-based dietary supplement interview. Age-standardized prevalence was calculated across multiple dietary supplement definitions, adjusted with survey/nonresponse weights. The prevalence of dietary supplement use was substantially higher as measured in the dietary supplement interview, compared to the medication inventory: for total dietary supplements (39% vs 26%, respectively), for nonvitamin, nonmineral supplements (24% vs 12%), and for botanicals (9.2% vs 4.5%). Concordance between the two assessments was fair to moderate (Cohen's kappa: 0.31-0.52). Among women, inclusion of botanical teas increased the prevalence of botanical supplement use from 7% to 15%. Supplement assessment that includes queries about botanical teas yields more information about patient supplement use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How will Hispanic population growth affect black-white relations in the United States? Research on intergroup relations operates within a two-group paradigm, furnishing few insights into multi-group contexts. This study is based on an original experiment that combines behavioral game and survey methods to evaluate the impact of perceived Hispanic growth on attitudes and behavior. Results reveal opposite reactions among blacks and whites. Whites in the baseline condition contribute comparable amounts to black and white recipients in a dictator game, whereas whites who first read about Hispanic growth contribute more to white recipients than to black ones. By contrast, blacks in the baseline condition contribute more to black recipients than to white ones, whereas blacks who first read about Hispanic growth contribute comparable amounts to black and white recipients. Patterns of identification mirror patterns of contributions: whites exposed to Hispanic growth identify relatively more strongly with their racial group than with their national group, whereas blacks exposed to Hispanic growth identify relatively more strongly with their national group than with their racial group. Together, these results suggest that people respond to the growth of a third group by prioritizing the most privileged identity to which they can plausibly lay claim and which also excludes the growing group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Evaluate the cross-sectional and longitudinal association between perceived walkability-related neighborhood characteristics (e.g., traffic safety) and depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older Latino adults. Method: We used baseline, 12-month, and 24-month in-person interview data collected from Latinos aged ≥60 years participating in an exercise intervention at 27 senior centers (N = 570). Results: In cross-sectional analyses, lower perceived neighborhood crime, indicative of greater neighborhood walkability, was associated with a lower odds of elevated symptoms of depression (odds ratio [OR] = 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.82, 0.996]; p = .04) after adjusting for demographic characteristics, linguistic acculturation, and medical comorbidities. Associations between Neighborhood Environment Walkability scales and incident depressive symptoms at 12- and/or 24-months were not statistically significant, but the point estimate for crime safety was consistent with cross-sectional findings (OR = 0.83; 95% CI = [0.64, 1.07]; p = .16), suggesting a protective effect for lower perceived neighborhood crime. Discussion: Lower perceived neighborhood crime is associated with reduced presence of elevated symptoms of depression in older Latinos. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the relationship between baseline depression and prospective engagement in walking and exercise behavior after enrollment in an exercise intervention. Methods: The study used baseline, 1-month, 12-month, and 24-month in-person interview and pedometer data collected from Latinos aged >60 years participating in an exercise intervention (¡Caminemos!) at 27 senior centers (n = 572). Results: After joining an exercise intervention, and when using continuous pedometer data and scores from the Yale Physical Activity Survey (YPAS) as the outcomes of interest, older adults with baseline depression exhibited comparable levels of physical activity across time when compared to their nondepressed counterparts. Significant difference in physical activity levels between the depressed and nondepressed subgroups no longer existed within one month of initiating the exercise intervention. Discussion: Among sedentary older Latino adults, having depression may not delay exercise initiation nor does it appear to prevent achievement or maintenance of an exercise program. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The blend between Spanish and English found in Hispanic or Latino communities in the United States is usually known as "Spanglish." It is suggested that Spanglish represents the most important contemporary linguistic phenomenon in the United States that has barely been approached from a linguistic point of view. Spanglish may be interpreted in different ways." as a pidgin, a Creole language, an interlanguage, or an anglicized Spanish dialect. Regardless that Spanglish is spoken by millions of people, significant variations within the language are observed. To account for its development, two types of phenomena are proposed: superficial, including borrowing and code-switching; and deep, including lexical-semantic, grammatical, and the "equalization to English "phenomenon. An analysis of both superficial and deep Spanglish phenomena is presented. It is suggested that the future of Spanglish depends on two factors: (a) number of Spanish-speaking immigrants to the United States, and (b ) U.S. policies concerning bilingualism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]