Purpose This post describes the conceptual model developed for the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latino Youth a multisite epidemiologic study of obesity and cardiometabolic risk among U. scales to capture identified constructs. Results The Socio-Ecological Framework Social Cognitive Theory family systems theory and acculturation research informed the specification of our conceptual model. Data are being collected from both children and parents in the household to examine the bidirectional influence of children and their parents including the potential contribution of intergenerational differences in acculturation as a risk factor. Children and parents are reporting on individual interpersonal and perceived organizational and community influences on children’s risk for obesity consistent with Socio-Ecological Framework. Conclusions Much research has been conducted on obesity yet conceptual models examining risk and protective factors lack specificity in several areas. Study of Latino Youth is designed to fill a gap in this research and inform future efforts. = 1600) living in one of four U.S. cities (Bronx Chicago Miami and San Diego; see Isasi et al. in press). The specific aims of SOL Youth are to Semagacestat (LY450139) (1) evaluate the influence of child acculturation and intergenerational differences in acculturation between children and parents on children’s obesity-related behaviors and their cardiometabolic risk profiles; (2) test the association of parenting strategies and practices with children’s obesity-related behaviors and cardiometabolic risk profiles; and (3) assess the influence of child psychosocial functioning on obesity-related behaviors and cardiometabolic risk profiles. Aims were informed by several theoretical frameworks relevant to childhood obesity and based on a conceptual model representing sources of influence specific to U.S. Hispanic/Latino children. Theoretical frameworks relevant to childhood obesity The SOL Youth study is informed Semagacestat (LY450139) predominantly by the Socio-Ecological Framework (SEF) [7 8 and Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) [9]. SEF differentiates influences as occurring at multiple levels [7] including at the individual interpersonal organizational and community levels. These levels exert both direct and indirect influences on behaviors and interact with each other to influence behaviors and health outcomes. Research demonstrates associations between multiple levels of SEF and childhood obesity [10 11 Similarly SCT supports the concept of interactions between influences in its concept of reciprocal determinism the dynamic interplay between a person his/her behaviors and the environment in which these behaviors take place [9]. Elements of the person include his/her cognitions norms and factors that may influence these (e.g. demographic variables). The environment includes both social and physical influences the former best represented by personal relationships and the latter represented by the availability of healthy options in a grocery store for example. There is substantial evidence supporting the association between concepts in SCT and childhood obesity Semagacestat (LY450139) [12]. Complementing both SEF and SCT are additional theoretical frameworks including Family Systems Theory (FST) [13 14 and theories of acculturation [15-17]. FST posits that individuals within the family exert an influence over others while simultaneously being influenced by the environment that is created by these interactions [18]. As such intervention researchers have successfully targeted the family to prevent and control childhood obesity [19]. Central to the present study are the FST concepts of subsystems and levels within the family system. Among the Mouse monoclonal to FAK most widely studied subsystems in childhood obesity research is the parent-children relationship [18]. A wealth of research supports the importance of parenting on childhood obesity [20]. Second within families there are both first- and second-order system levels. From the perspective of childhood obesity Skelton et al. [18] argues that first-order system levels are considered primary; for example whether families eat meals together. However first-order system levels may not occur without the presence of second-order system levels; for Semagacestat (LY450139) example families having the necessary time management and communication skills to facilitate family meals. This evidence dictates the need to consider both direct and indirect influences on obesity. Finally as defined by Berry [15] and others [17 21 acculturation refers to the process of change that occurs in language use behaviors.