| Hispanics are the fastest growing minority population within the U.S. By the year 2050, one out of every four Americans will be Hispanic (U.S. Census Bureau, 2006). In the United States, Mexican-Americans comprise sixty percent of the Hispanic population (U.S. Census, Bureau, 2006). The prevalence of obesity among Mexican-Americans is also rapidly growing (Office of Minority Health, 2008). If left unabated, the associated societal and personal risk factors related to obese Mexican-Americans will lead to a national crisis (Weight Control Information Network, 2007). The national treatment guidelines for the management of obese adults have primarily focused on the medical components of nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle modification towards a goal of a normal body mass index of <30 (National Institutes of Health, 2000). The implementation of these treatment guidelines among obese Mexican-American adults has been unsuccessful (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2004). The need for culturally sensitive treatment guidelines for the management of obese Mexican-American adult's maybe the answer to this dilemma.;This focus group was a pilot study using a qualitative examination format to explore obese Mexican-American adults' perceptions of the cultural sensitivity of the national obesity management guidelines of adults in primary care. Data were gathered from a single focus group consisting of 5 obese Mexican-American adults residing in the Charlottesville, Virginia region. The content in the format of field notes and verbatim transcribed interviews was analyzed.;The participants spoke of their previous personal experiences of weight loss interventions. Data analysis led to the identification of three themes. These were: (1) family influence, (2) lifestyle preference, and (3) physical appearance. |
