Evaluation of the community-based chronic disease prevention program Meta Salud in Northern Mexico, 2011-2012

Catalina A. Denman, Cecilia Rosales, Elsa Cornejo, Melanie L. Bell, Diana Munguía, Tanyha Zepeda, Scott Carvajal, Jill Guernsey de Zapien

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: Meta Salud is a community health worker-facilitated intervention in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, and was adapted from Pasos Adelante, a similar evidence-based intervention developed for a Latino population in the United States-Mexico border region. The objective of this study was to examine outcomes for Meta Salud and compare them with outcomes for Pasos Adelante. Methods: This pretest-posttest study took place during 13 weeks among low-income residents of an urban area. The program provided information on topics such as heart health, physical activity, nutrition, diabetes, healthy weight, community health, and emotional well-being; included individual and group activities aimed at motivating behavior change and encouraged participants to engage in brisk physical activity. Results: We found significant decreases from baseline to conclusion in body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, weight, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. From baseline to 3-month follow-up, we found significant decreases in body mass index, waist circumference, weight, LDL cholesterol, and glucose, and an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Outcomes for Meta Salud were similar to those found for Pasos Adelante. Conclusion: The physiological improvements found among participants in Meta Salud and comparable changes among participants in Pasos Adelante suggest a scalable and effective behavioral intervention for regions of the United States and Mexico that share a common boundary or have similar cultural and linguistic characteristics.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number140218
JournalPreventing Chronic Disease
Volume11
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health Policy
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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