Engaging Faith Communities in Hispanic Child Obesity Prevention: Church Leaders' Insights on Barriers and Cultural Strategies.

Childhood obesity disproportionately affects Hispanic children, yet culturally responsive interventions within faith-based organizations remain underutilized. This formative study explored faith leaders' perspectives on promoting healthy eating to inform church-based obesity prevention in predominantly Hispanic congregations. Using a qualitative-dominant mixed-methods design guided by Community-Based Participatory Research principles, we conducted surveys and in-depth interviews with faith leaders from diverse Arkansas denominations, including 30 who participated in interviews. Participants described balancing formal religious duties with informal roles as role models, community builders, and cultural translators connecting congregants to external resources. Three themes were developed through reflexive thematic analysis: (1) faith leadership as relational and cultural brokerage; (2) navigating tensions between spiritual mission and health promotion; and (3) the church as a culturally anchored space for holistic well-being. Leaders emphasized integrating health initiatives into existing church activities, adapting traditional foods rather than replacing them, and using culturally resonant materials delivered by trusted messengers. Findings demonstrate that faith-based organizations can support sustainable healthy eating interventions when programs align with spiritual priorities and cultural traditions, informing the development of a culturally-tailored, faith-based healthy eating intervention for Hispanic families.