Culturally responsive nutrition interventions addressing chronic conditions in Latino adults living in the United States: a scoping review.

backgroundLatino communities in the United States face a disproportionate burden of chronic diseases, including higher rates of diabetes, obesity, chronic kidney disease, and liver disease. Many of these conditions are preventable through improved nutrition, yet the literature on culturally responsive nutrition focused interventions for Latino adults is fragmented, with inconsistent definitions of cultural adaptation and tailoring and limited evidence on the use of rigorous study designs and evidence-based approaches. This scoping review aims to synthesize nutrition interventions for Latino adults in the United States, assessing their design, cultural responsiveness, methodological rigor, and gaps to inform future strategies.

methodsA scoping review of the scientific literature was conducted by searching three bibliographic databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL). The search strategy used categories from the PICO framework (Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome) to develop determinants based on the research question.

resultsOf 1,997 records identified, 36 studies (1.8%) met inclusion criteria after screening. Studies were excluded for not implementing a nutrition intervention, not including Latino participants, or lacking chronic disease outcomes. Diabetes was the most commonly addressed chronic condition (42%), followed by multiple chronic conditions (25%). Most studies (56%) employed randomized designs, primarily evaluating intervention effectiveness, while non-randomized studies focused more on pilot or feasibility assessments. Notably, 100% of interventions incorporated culturally responsive elements, with 81% being culturally tailored, predominantly targeting diabetes and multiple chronic conditions. In this scoping review, we focused on two approaches that promote cultural responsiveness: (1) cultural adaptation and (2) cultural tailoring. We define cultural adaptation as the systematic modification of an evidence-based intervention to align with a group’s cultural norms, language, and context. Cultural tailoring refers to customizing interventions based on individual-level characteristics, such as language or imagery.

conclusionFuture research should focus on developing and evaluating culturally responsive, prevention-oriented nutrition interventions. Employing rigorous randomized designs will be essential to effectively improve chronic disease outcomes in Latino populations. Standardizing definitions and frameworks for cultural adaptation is critical to advancing intervention science and enhancing health equity.