Immigrants and refugees often arrive in the United States with better overall health than the general population; however, over time, their cardiovascular risk profiles increasingly resemble those of U.S.-born populations. This shift includes higher rates of obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and heart disease, driven in part by low levels of physical activity and limited access to healthy foods. These behaviors are shaped by a complex interplay of social, economic, environmental, and cultural factors that influence lifestyle choices and health opportunities.

Healthy Immigrant Families was a community-based participatory research (CBPR) project designed to improve physical activity and dietary habits among immigrant and refugee families in Rochester, Minnesota. The intervention was developed with and for participating communities and delivered through family-centered, home-based coaching focused on physical activity and healthy eating. Coaching was provided by trained Family Health Promoters from the same communities as participants and engaged Hispanic, Somali, and Sudanese families. Program effectiveness was evaluated using objective and self-reported measures, including accelerometer-based physical activity, 24-hour dietary recalls, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and health-related quality of life. A total of 151 participants from 44 families were enrolled at baseline, and at 12 months, the intervention had reached 100% of active families, with 93% remaining engaged in study activities.

Funding

National Institutes of Health: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (R01 HL 111407)
Mayo Clinic: Center for Clinical and Translational Science, Office of Health Disparities Research

Materials

Intervention Manual

Publications

Healthy Immigrant Families: Randomized Controlled Trial of a Family-Based Nutrition and Physical Activity Intervention

Health Immigrant Families: Participatory Development and Baseline Characteristics of a Community-Based Physical Activity and Nutrition Intervention

A Focus Group Study of Healthy Eating Knowledge, Practices, and Barriers Among Adult and Adolescent Immigrants and Refugees in the United States

Lessons Learned from Community-Led Recruitment of Immigrants and Refugee Participants for a Randomized, Community-Based Participatory Research Study

Relationship Between Negative Mood and Health Behaviors in an Immigrant and Refugee Population

Treatment Fidelity Among Family Health Promoters Delivering a Physical Activity and Nutrition Intervention to Immigrant and Refugee Families

Lay Health Worker as Interventionist Training: Reflective Writing in US Family Health Promotion Practice