Researchers tested a new health program designed specifically for Latina women going through midlife changes. The program taught women about healthy eating, exercise, and ways to manage stress over 12 weeks, then provided support for 9 more months. Nearly 50 women participated, and most of them stuck with the program and felt it was helpful. Women who completed the program showed improvements in heart health risk factors. While this was a small test study, the results suggest this type of culturally-designed program could be a promising way to help Latina women reduce their risk of heart disease during this important life stage.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a 12-week health program teaching diet, exercise, and stress management could work for Latina women in their 40s and 50s and help reduce their heart disease risk.
  • Who participated: 49 Latina women between ages 40-60 who were going through midlife hormonal changes. Most were born outside the United States, and about 6 in 10 reported money worries.
  • Key finding: About half the women attended most of the classes, nearly 9 out of 10 finished the study, and 95% said they would recommend it to a friend. Women showed improvements in weight, exercise habits, stress levels, and heart health markers.
  • What it means for you: If you’re a Latina woman in midlife, a program like this might help you lower your heart disease risk. However, this was a small test study, so more research is needed before we know how well it works for everyone.

The Research Details

This was a pilot study, which means it was a small test to see if a new program could work before testing it with more people. Researchers divided 49 women into two groups: one group got the new health program right away, and the other group waited and got it later. The program had three main parts: 12 weekly classes about healthy eating, exercise, and stress relief, followed by 3 months of check-ins and support, and then 6 months where women practiced what they learned on their own.

The researchers measured two main things: first, whether the program was practical and if women liked it (did they sign up, did they come to classes, did they finish the study). Second, they measured whether women’s heart health improved by checking things like weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and how stiff their arteries were.

The study was designed specifically for Latina women, meaning the classes were taught in Spanish or English and included cultural foods and activities that made sense for this community.

This research approach is important because heart disease is a major health problem for Latina women, and programs designed just for them might work better than general programs. By testing a small group first, researchers can see what works before spending money and time on a bigger study. This helps make sure the program is actually helpful and that women will actually use it.

This is a small pilot study with only 49 women, so the results are promising but not definitive. The good news is that most women finished the study and liked the program, which suggests it’s worth testing with more people. The study was published in a respected medical journal focused on women’s health. However, because there was no comparison group getting a different treatment (the control group just waited), we can’t be completely sure the improvements were from the program itself rather than other things happening in women’s lives.

What the Results Show

The program showed good signs of being practical and acceptable. Out of 49 women who started, 26 were assigned to get the program right away. On average, women attended 8 out of 12 classes (about 53%), and 7 women (27%) attended at least 80% of the classes. This attendance rate is actually pretty good for health programs. Nearly 88% of women came back for the 6-month check-up, and about 80% returned at 12 months, which shows they stayed interested in the study.

The most impressive finding was that 95% of women said they would recommend the program to a friend or family member. This tells us that women found it helpful and liked how it was designed for them. These numbers suggest the program is realistic for women to do and that they actually want to participate.

Women who completed the program showed improvements in several heart health measures. These included changes in body weight and measurements, how much exercise they were doing, their stress levels, and blood markers like cholesterol and blood sugar. While the study was too small to know if these changes were statistically significant, the direction of change was positive.

Beyond the main findings about whether the program worked, researchers also looked at specific health improvements. Women reported doing more physical activity and made changes to their eating habits. Stress levels appeared to decrease for many participants. Blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar measurements showed improvements in the intervention group compared to the control group, though the study was small. These secondary findings suggest the program may have helped women’s overall heart health, not just one or two things.

This research builds on earlier studies showing that programs designed specifically for a particular group of people tend to work better than general programs. Previous research has shown that Latina women face unique challenges with heart disease risk, including higher rates of diabetes and obesity. This study is one of the first to test a program that combines diet, exercise, and stress management specifically designed for Latina women during midlife. The results are encouraging compared to other pilot programs, with good attendance and satisfaction rates.

This study has several important limitations to keep in mind. First, it’s very small with only 49 women, so the results might not apply to all Latina women. Second, the control group didn’t get a different treatment—they just waited—so we can’t be completely sure the improvements came from the program itself rather than other life changes. Third, we don’t know if the benefits lasted after the study ended. Fourth, most women in the study spoke Spanish or English and lived in a specific area, so results might be different for other groups. Finally, this was just a test to see if the program was doable; a much larger study would be needed to prove it actually prevents heart disease.

The Bottom Line

Based on this pilot study, a culturally-tailored program combining diet education, exercise, and stress management appears promising for Latina women in midlife (moderate confidence level). Women interested in reducing heart disease risk should consider programs designed for their specific community and culture. The program seems most effective when women attend regularly, so commitment to attending classes is important. This is not yet a proven treatment, but the results suggest it’s worth trying if available in your area.

This research is most relevant for Latina women between ages 40-60 who are concerned about heart disease risk or are experiencing midlife hormonal changes. It may also interest healthcare providers who work with Latina communities and want to offer culturally appropriate programs. Family members and friends of women in this age group might also find this helpful. This study is less directly relevant for men or women from other ethnic backgrounds, though the general principles of diet, exercise, and stress management apply to everyone.

Based on this study, women attended classes over 12 weeks and then had support for 3 more months. Improvements in stress levels and some health markers appeared within the first 6 months. However, this was a small study, so individual results will vary. Most people need at least 3-6 months of consistent effort to see meaningful changes in weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol. The study followed women for 12 months, but we don’t know yet if benefits last longer than that.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly attendance at health classes or exercise sessions, weekly stress levels (1-10 scale), and monthly measurements of weight and waist circumference. Also note dietary changes like servings of vegetables per day and minutes of physical activity per week.
  • Use the app to set reminders for weekly health classes, log meals using a food diary feature with culturally relevant foods, track 30 minutes of daily activity, and practice a 5-minute daily stress management technique (like breathing exercises or meditation). Create weekly goals and celebrate when you attend classes or complete exercise sessions.
  • Check in monthly to review progress on weight, activity levels, and stress. Compare your numbers from month to month to see improvements. Share your progress with a friend or family member for accountability. If using a health app, sync it with your healthcare provider so they can see your progress and offer support.

This research is a small pilot study and should not be considered definitive medical advice. The findings are promising but need to be confirmed with larger studies before being widely recommended. If you have concerns about your heart health or are experiencing symptoms, please consult with your healthcare provider. This program is not a substitute for medical treatment. Women with existing heart conditions, high blood pressure, or other health concerns should talk to their doctor before starting any new exercise or diet program. The results of this study may not apply to all Latina women or all individuals. Always seek personalized medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional.