Hispanic families in the United States are often left out of health studies, even though their children face higher rates of obesity. Researchers partnered with a community organization called El Puente Hispano to interview 17 parents from six different Hispanic backgrounds about their parenting practices and health habits. The study found that Hispanic families are not all the same—they have different cultures, values, and approaches to health. By building trust with the community and respecting cultural differences, researchers were able to gather honest information that could help create better health programs for Hispanic families.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How to successfully recruit Hispanic families for health research studies and what their real perspectives are on parenting and children’s health
  • Who participated: 17 parents from six different Hispanic nationalities who were recruited through a trusted community nonprofit organization
  • Key finding: When researchers build trust with Hispanic communities and respect their cultural differences, families are more willing to participate in health studies and share honest information about their health practices
  • What it means for you: If you’re Hispanic and have been asked to participate in health research, knowing that community-based approaches exist means your voice and experiences can help shape better health programs for your family. This research suggests that future health studies should partner with trusted community organizations rather than approaching families as a single group.

The Research Details

This was a ‘report from the field’ study, which means researchers documented what they learned while doing real-world work. The team partnered with El Puente Hispano, a local nonprofit organization that already had trust within the Hispanic community. Rather than sending out surveys or recruiting through hospitals, they worked through this trusted organization to find parents willing to talk about their parenting practices and health habits.

The researchers conducted semi-structured interviews, which is like having a conversation with a guide. They asked questions but allowed parents to share their own stories and perspectives. This approach helps researchers understand not just what people do, but why they do it and what matters to them.

The 17 parents came from six different Hispanic nationalities, which was important because it showed that Hispanic families have different backgrounds, traditions, and approaches to health—they’re not all the same.

This research approach matters because it shows how to do health research the right way with communities that have been left out before. Many Hispanic families don’t participate in health studies because they don’t trust researchers or don’t feel respected. By starting with a trusted community organization and listening to families’ real perspectives, researchers can gather better information and create health programs that actually work for Hispanic families.

This study is strong because it used a community-engaged approach, meaning researchers worked with the community rather than just studying them. The researchers documented their lessons learned, which helps other scientists understand what works. However, this was a small study with only 17 parents, so the findings show patterns and lessons rather than definitive proof. The study focused on recruitment and trust-building rather than testing a specific health intervention.

What the Results Show

The main finding was that Hispanic families are much more willing to participate in health research and share honest information when researchers work through trusted community organizations. El Puente Hispano’s existing relationships with families made recruitment easier and helped families feel comfortable being honest.

The interviews revealed that Hispanic parents have diverse perspectives on health and parenting that are often missed when researchers treat all Hispanic families as one group. Parents from different countries and backgrounds had different values, traditions, and approaches to children’s health and nutrition.

The research showed that culturally responsive practices—meaning practices that respect and understand different cultures—are essential for getting truthful data. When families feel respected and understood, they share more honest information about their real health practices, not just what they think researchers want to hear.

The study also highlighted that community-engaged research, where researchers partner with community organizations from the start, leads to better recruitment and more meaningful results.

The interviews with parents from six different nationalities showed that there is no single ‘Hispanic’ approach to health and parenting. Parents had different food traditions, family structures, and beliefs about children’s health based on their specific country of origin and cultural background. This diversity is important for researchers to understand when creating health programs.

This research builds on growing recognition that Hispanic families have been underrepresented in health studies despite facing higher rates of childhood obesity. Previous research has shown that trust and cultural respect are important for research participation, and this study provides practical lessons about how to actually build that trust. It supports the idea that community-engaged research approaches work better than traditional recruitment methods for reaching Hispanic families.

This was a small study with only 17 parents, so the findings show important lessons and patterns but cannot be applied to all Hispanic families. The study focused on one community organization in one location, so results may be different in other areas. The study documented lessons learned rather than testing whether a specific health intervention actually works. Additionally, the study did not include information about the specific health outcomes or obesity rates—it focused on the research process itself rather than health results.

The Bottom Line

Health researchers should partner with trusted community organizations when recruiting Hispanic families for studies (high confidence). Researchers should recognize that Hispanic families have diverse backgrounds and should not treat them as a single group (high confidence). Health programs for Hispanic families should be developed with input from the community and should respect cultural differences (moderate to high confidence). If you’re Hispanic and considering participating in health research, look for studies that partner with community organizations you trust (practical recommendation).

Health researchers and organizations creating health programs for Hispanic communities should care about these findings. Public health officials and policymakers working on childhood obesity should understand the importance of community-engaged research. Hispanic families themselves should know that their participation in research matters and that their diverse perspectives are valuable. Healthcare providers serving Hispanic families should understand the importance of culturally responsive approaches.

Building trust and changing research practices takes time. Researchers may see improved recruitment within months of partnering with community organizations, but creating lasting change in how health research is done could take years. Health programs developed using these community-engaged approaches may take 6-12 months or longer to show health benefits.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your family’s participation in health research or health programs. Note which programs or studies you feel respected in and which ones you trust. This feedback helps researchers understand what works for your community.
  • If you’re part of a health app or program, provide honest feedback about whether it respects your cultural practices and values. Share your real health habits and challenges, not just what you think the program wants to hear. This honest information helps create better programs for families like yours.
  • Over time, track whether health programs you participate in feel culturally respectful and whether they actually help your family. Notice if researchers or health programs partner with community organizations you trust. Share your experiences with other families in your community to help others decide whether to participate in research.

This research documents lessons learned about recruiting Hispanic families for health studies and does not present results from a health intervention. The findings suggest approaches that may improve health research, but this study itself did not test whether specific health programs reduce childhood obesity. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making changes to your family’s health practices. This research is intended to inform how health studies are conducted, not to provide medical advice. If you’re interested in participating in health research, discuss it with your doctor to ensure it’s appropriate for your family.