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Background: Marshallese Pacific Islanders experience higher rates of obesity than other racial and/or ethnic communities. Despite the obesity rates experienced in this community, there are currently no childhood obesity prevention interventions designed for Marshallese Pacific Islanders in the United States. The purpose of this study is to assess the acceptability and feasibility of a culturally adapted group-based pediatric intervention, Kokajjiriri, with Marshallese mothers to improve nutrition and reduce childhood obesity., Methods: A multi-methods design was used to culturally adapt the Kokajjiriri intervention for Marshallese mothers in Arkansas (n = 17). In phase one, we conducted 24-h dietary recalls with 20 Marshallese mothers to inform the cultural adaptation of the group-based pediatric intervention, and then in phase two, we culturally adapted and piloted three sessions of the intervention to determine the acceptability and feasibility of the intervention., Results: Participants found the adapted intervention to be acceptable and feasible, found the location to be convenient and found the facilitator to be knowledgeable. Four themes emerged from the qualitative data: (1) Lactation Support; (2) Introducing Healthy Solids; (3) Rice Portion Control; and (4) Finding Resources., Conclusions: This is the first study to assess the acceptability and feasibility of a culturally adapted group-based pediatric intervention, Kokajjiriri, with Marshallese mothers to improve nutrition and reduce childhood obesity. The results from this culturally adapted group-based pediatric intervention, Kokajjiriri, will be used to inform future adaptations and implementation of the full intervention for Marshallese women and children., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Introduction: Diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) is effective for reducing health complications among people with type 2 diabetes (PWD). However, standard DSMES interventions have not been effective for Marshallese Pacific Islanders., Methods: A culturally adapted Family-DSMES intervention for Marshallese PWD was implemented in churches in Hawaii and Washington state and delivered by Marshal-lese community health workers. We assessed changes in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure from pre-to post-intervention (12 weeks)., Results: One hundred eighty-five (185) participants-99 PWD and 86 family members-completed classes and had valid pre-and post-intervention HbA1c data. For PWD, there were significant decreases in HbA1c (-0.69%; p=.0000) and BMI (-0.38; p=.008)., Discussion: The clinically and statistically significant reduction in HbA1c among PWD adds evidence for the effectiveness of family models of DSMES. Results will be used to inform future interventions and research studies with Marshallese and other Pacific Islander communities.