*Article* **Mexican and Puerto Rican Men's Preferences Regarding a Healthy Eating, Physical Activity and Body Image Intervention**

**Lisa Sanchez-Johnsen 1,2,\*, Amanda Dykema-Engblade 3, Carlos E. Rosas 1,2, Leonilda Calderon 4, Alfred Rademaker 5, Magdalena Nava <sup>6</sup> and Chandra Hassan <sup>7</sup>**


**Abstract:** This study examined the logistical, practical, and cultural preferences of Latinos regarding the design of a healthy eating, physical activity, and body image intervention. Puerto Rican and Mexican men (*n* = 203) completed an interview as part of an NIH-funded study. Overall, 66.5% preferred the intervention to be in Spanish only or both Spanish and English; 88.67% said it was moderately, very or extremely important for the intervention leader to be bilingual; and 66.01% considered it moderately to extremely important for the leader to be Hispanic or Latino. Most participants (83.74%) reported they would be willing to attend an intervention that met twice per week and 74.38% said they would be willing to attend an intervention that met for 1.5 to 2 h, twice weekly. Overall, the majority said they would be moderately to extremely interested in attending an exercise program if it consisted of aerobics with Latin or salsa movements (74.88%) and if it consisted of aerobics with Latin or salsa music (70.44%). Some participants were moderately to extremely interested in attending an intervention if it included *dichos* (Latino sayings) (65.02%) and *cuentos* (folktales or stories) (69.46%). The findings have implications for lifestyle and body image interventions aimed at preventing cardiometabolic diseases.

**Keywords:** Latino men; obesity; intervention; diet; body image; physical activity
