Applying Concept Mapping Methodology to Identify the Perceptions of Risk and Protective Factors for Childhood Obesity among Southeast Asian Refugees

Background. This study identifies Southeast Asian refugee parents’ and grandparents’ perceptions of the risk and protective factors for childhood obesity. Methods. We used a mixed methods approach (concept mapping) for data collection and analyses. Fifty-nine participants engaged in modified nominal group meetings where they generated statements about children’s weight status and structuring meetings where they sorted statements into piles based on similarity and rated statements on relative importance. Concept Systems^® software generated clusters of ideas, cluster ratings, and pattern matches. Results. Eleven clusters emerged. Participants rated “Healthy Food Changes Made within the School” and “Parent-related Physical Activity Factors” as most important, whereas “Neighborhood Built Features” was rated as the least important. Cambodian and Hmong participants agreed the most on cluster ratings of relative importance (r = 0.62). Conclusion. The study findings may be used to inform the development of culturally appropriate obesity prevention interventions for Southeast Asian refugee communities.