Introduction:

The population in the large cities has cultural elements that are hardly incorporated in health education interventions.

Objective:

To identify the key elements for designing culturally competent strategies necessary to improve health education sessions, physical activity and food intake for people at risk of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCD).

Methodology:

A qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study was performed in Mexico City. Focal group technique was used. Thematic script included topics such as: a) causes of the disease, its prevention and treatment; B) elements for disease prevention: diet and physical activity; C) motivations to participate in an intervention that prevents NCD in their own cultural context; and d) Elements that do not work in an intervention to prevent NCD. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed under the fundamental theory approach.

Results:

Data showed that one of the most important impediments is the lack of time to attend health education sessions, physical activity and healthy foods preparation and consumption. Within the groups, obesity and weight were not perceived as an important factor for the development of NCD. We proposed to incorporate thanatological and logotherapeutic elements in the interventions in order to give live meaning to people´s health.

Conclusion:

Strategies are proposed to move from health promotion to human development, integrating elements of effective management of time, emotional intelligence, increased self-esteem and family strategies of collaboration.