The Feasibility of a Dietary and Lifestyle Behaviour Change Intervention among Low-income Latinas and Indigenous Mexicans in Rural Desert Communities: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Objective: This article reports on the feasibility, acceptability of a trial design, and results of ¡Coma, Muévase y Viva!, an adapted version of the Eat, Move, Live! Curriculum, a 10-week diet and lifestyle change intervention for low-income Latina and Indigenous Mexican women in rural Inland Southern California. Design: A pilot randomized intervention and wait-list controlled parallel trial. Settings: Latina and Indigenous Mexican women participated in ¡Coma, Muévase y Viva!, the adapted version of the curriculum customized for Spanish speakers with a focus on health literacy, cultural norms and values, and delivered by community health workers/promotoras. Participants: Participants were randomized into the intervention (n=19) or wait-list control (n=16). Most were Latino (88%), mothers (75%), and foreign born (87%). Results: The adapted intervention was feasible and acceptable with 87.5% of participants retained at three months. The intervention was delivered with high fidelity. Intervention compared to control participants reported success with predetermined prioritized goals (OR=0.25, 95% CI: 0.06-0.99, p =0.03), showed a greater likelihood of cooking healthier food (OR=4.87, 95% CI: 1.04-22.90, p =0.05), enjoyment of cooking healthy meals (OR=3.94, 95% CI: 0.87-17.92, p =0.08), and doing physical activities (OR=5.30, 95% CI: 1.16-24.24, p =0.03). Healthy eating and physical activity as primary outcomes indicated the intervention group was more likely to eat healthy and be active (OR=2.08, 95% CI: 1.12 ∼ 3.89, p =0.02). Conclusion: The adapted intervention was feasible and acceptable and indicated an effect on dietary and lifestyle behavior change with significant changes in meeting desired goals and engaging in healthy eating and physical activity.