Father-Driven Nutrition Program Leads to Long-Lasting Dietary Improvements in Mexican-Heritage Families

A groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior highlights the positive impact of a father-centered nutrition and physical activity program on long-term eating habits of Mexican-heritage families. The six-week intervention, known as ¡Haz Espacio para Papi! (Make Room for Daddy!), was conducted by trained community health workers called promotoras in Texas border communities. It involved 59 families with children aged 9 to 11, incorporating in-person group discussions, home-based activities, and engaging nutrition education. Participants' dietary habits were assessed before the program, immediately afterward, at 3-4 months, and again between 2.0 to 2.5 years later, revealing sustained improvements.

Results demonstrated notable increases in weekly fruit and vegetable consumption alongside overall healthier dietary behaviors. Interestingly, fathers with lower educational levels experienced the most significant gains in vegetable intake, whereas older fathers tended to consume fewer vegetables than their younger counterparts. Lead researcher Annika Vahk, Ph.D., from Eastern Washington University, emphasized that culturally tailored programs focusing on fathers can fundamentally change family dietary habits. Her statement underscores the crucial role fathers play in modeling and supporting healthy behaviors within Latino families, suggesting that initiatives like HEPP (¡Haz Espacio para Papi!) can leverage this influence to promote lasting health benefits.

The study underscores the importance of culturally relevant, family-centered interventions that foster skills and support systems for sustainable health behaviors. Future efforts should aim to broaden this model to include diverse family structures and communities to amplify its impact.

This research demonstrates the potential of community-based, gender-specific programs to foster enduring dietary improvements, emphasizing the importance of familial influence in health behavior change.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-father-dietary-mexican-heritage-families.html