Deciphering Dichos for Nutrition and Health Discussion: A Qualitative Study Among Men of Mexican Origin With or At-Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Objective: This study investigates the potential use of dichos (colloquial Spanish sayings) in nutrition and health education for men of Mexican origin, focusing on their recognizability, traditional meanings, and health topic applicability. Design: A qualitative study that included individual interviews (n = 12) and pile sort methodology to explore 16 dichos. Interviews discussed dicho recognizability and traditional meaning. The pile sort explored the applicability of dichos for health topics. Finally, participants elaborated on the potential utility of dichos for nutrition and health education. Setting: At-home, one-on-one interviews. Participants: Mexican-origin, native-Spanish-speaking males with a body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m². Phenomenon of Interest: The potential application of dichos for nutrition and health education. Analysis: Dichos were scored for recognizability (total of 12 participants). The qualitative analysis involved 4 cycle coding for the identification of the traditional meaning and health topic applicability of dichos. Results: Eleven of the 16 dichos were recognized and defined by 100% of participants. Qualitative analysis revealed the meanings of dichos that are applicable to the health topics of healthy eating, physical activity, health motivation, social support, and stress management. All participants supported the viability of dichos as a linguistic educational tool. Conclusions and Implications: Dichos may serve as a cultural-linguistic strategy in nutrition education for men of Mexican origin with or at risk for type 2 diabetes.