Latino students engage in less physical activity in school than their peers, which contributes to less healthy weights and other poor health outcomes, research shows. That’s why physical activity and play is critical as kids head back to class this month. Let’s use #SaludTues on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016 to tweet about the latest statistics, trends, and methods of getting students the physical activity and the social, emotional, and mental benefits of play that they need during the school day. WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat: “Back to School and Get Moving”
TIME/DATE: 1-2 p.m. ET (Noon-1 p.m. CT), Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016
WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues
HOST: @SaludToday
CO-HOSTS: Playworks (@Playworks) and the California Endowment (@CalEndow)
SPECIAL ...
The Affordable Care Act has provided health insurance to over 20 million people (including an estimated 4.2 million Latinos) since its inception four years ago. During that time, one of the main questions has been are the people who now have reliable health care coverage better off than before. Several new studies have been released recently emphasizing the ACA’s successes. Due to the ACA, participants are now less likely to have medical debt or postpone care because of the associated costs. They are more likely to now have a regular primary care doctor and to take advantage of preventive medical services, such as vaccines and screenings. One study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, noted how low-income individuals in Arkansas (6.7% Latino population) and Kentucky (3% Latino ...
Pete Garcia spent several years as a personal trainer in San Antonio, learning first-hand that many residents in at-risk parts of the city struggled with obesity and related health problems. So when Garcia became the city’s supervisor of athletics and programs, he wanted to develop and implement programs that would increase access to physical activity opportunities for at-risk residents across the city. With grant funding and the city’s formation of the Mayor’s Fitness Council a few years ago, Garcia was able to capitalize on partnerships and collaboration to develop the “Fitness in the Park” program to provide free fitness classes in parks in each of the city’s 10 council districts.
San Antonio Inactive and Unhealthy
Pete Garcia worked for many years as a personal ...
Back in 2011, Stephen Lucke was a student at University of Incarnate Word (UIW) when his idea of Gardopia started to grow.
"I was studying biochemistry and I took a nutrition class, and I just really became educated about the obesity epidemic in the United States, " said Lucke, "You know San Antonio was the most obese city in 2007."
While at UIW, Lucke decided he could do his part to help bring access to healthier foods and urban agriculture education to his community.
After fundraising in 2013 to start gardens at UIW and then helping to build gardens at the Ella Austin Community Center, Lucke soon realized that he needed to also start gardens in places that need healthier food access, most of them being places of lower socioeconomic status with high minority populations.
Where ...
Latino dropout rates have significantly declined from 32 percent in 1990 to 12 percent in 2013, according to a new report by the American Institutes for Research (AIR) and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The report also shows a growing trend in college enrollment among Latinos. In 2013 Latinos represented 17 percent of undergraduates compared to 6 percent a decade ago. “Status and Trends in the Education of Racial and Ethnic Groups 2016 is the latest in a series of reports since 2003 on educational progress—from preschool through graduate school—among different groups. It draws on surveys and administrative records from students, teachers, school, local and state education agencies, and colleges and universities. Data sources include the National ...
The 87 Marin schools in Marin County, CA ( 16.0% Latino) are increasing school gardens, farm-to-school education, and local produce to provide kids a healthier school food environment. Kids have various salad options that include fresh vegetables like cabbage, kale, bok choy, cilantro, carrots, spinach, lettuce, cucumbers, and strawberries at Lynwood Elementary. Also, local organic milk is offered in Laurel Dell Elementary School. The healthy fresh food options vary from district to district but offer various fruits and vegetables into school lunches and snacks. Miguel Villarreal, the director of food and nutritional services for Novato Unified School District, is also working on helping their schools offer healthy options by working with different local farmers, providing ...
Latino parents have increased the amount of 100 percent fruit juice that they allow their children to consume, according to a recent study by the University of California at San Francisco. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that 100% fruit juice can provide the body with essential vitamins and minerals, but this should not be confused with fruit drinks that are often made with unhealthy amounts of added sugars and flavoring syrups. Additionally, if a child consumes more juice than recommended they could experience weight gain, cavities and tooth decay, and be at risk of type II diabetes. Infants and toddlers that get more than the recommended amounts of juice have additional risks of experiencing diaper rash and diarrhea. Fruit juice should not be used when ...
Volunteering is good for mental health, especially among older adults according to a new study from the U.K., PsychCentral reports. For their research investigators surveyed over 60,000 adults between 1991-2008 and found that those that volunteered on a regular basis had signs of positive mental health. “Voluntary action might provide those groups with greater opportunities for beneficial activities and social contacts, which in turn may have protective effects on health status,” Dr. Faiza Tabassum told PsychCentral. “Particularly, with the aging of the population, it is imperative to develop effective health promotion for this last third of life, so that those living longer are ...
Where your city spends money (public investment) determines if you have access to parks, sidewalks, nutritious food, and public transportation, all of which have a far greater impact on your health than health care. In order for parents to keep their kids active and healthy, communities need to provide safe places to walk, bike, and play. Unfortunately, many Latino neighborhoods are missing these places due to inequitable distribution of public funds. Read more about inequity in public spending here. San Antonio residents (63.2% Latino) have the opportunity get involved in deciding where the city should spend $850 million over the next five years. “In some ways we’re kind of battling against history,” said San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor according to one source. “You go ...
