Latinos hold the power to create social and environmental change in their communities! The process starts with identifying a need, mobilizing the community and taking action to improve the health and overall well being of both children and adults living in underserved communities. With high obesity rates, and issues related to alcohol and tobacco use, community leaders have the opportunity to take action! Learn how to take action by accessing the National Latino Council on Alcohol and Tobacco Prevention's (LCAT) toolkit below. Access the Take Action, Create Change Toolkit ...
OSNAP – An Initiative to Create Healthy Spaces for Kids
Harvard School of Public Health Prevention Research Center (HPRC) has developed OSNAP- an Out of School Nutrition and Physical Activity Initiative, to help make the healthy choice an easy choice. This initiative works with out of school time (OST) programs in Massachusetts and Main to improve physical activity, nutrition, environment and policies. The main goals of OSNAP are for out of school programs to: Increase physical activity
Limit screen time
Serve water every day
Serve fruits and vegetables
Serve whole grains
Reduce sugary drinks
Eliminate trans fats The OSNAP website is a resource for teachers, afterschool program staff and organizational leaders to help achieve these goals into the out of ...
The Michael & Susan dell Center for Healthy Living have multiple programs and projects that promote healthy living. Active-Play Active Learning (APAL) is just one of the many healthy programs that encourages healthy changes for kids. APAL is a school-based initiative that allows kids to become more active in recess and school time. APAL is incorporated through three main approaches: Classroom Brain Breaks- brief activity breaks that support academic learning and contribute active class transitions
School Playground Markings- beautified playground areas with locomotor markings that encourage learning and activity during recess and class time
Peer-Led Games- five to ten minute student led games Three times a year teachers are trained with interactive games and ...
In underserved Latino communities, walking and bicycling safely can often be a challenge. Research shows that often children living in predominantly Latino neighborhoods face high crime rates and a lack of safe spaces, which keeps from getting the physical activity they need. The Safe Routes to School National Partnership has created a new resource to combat this threat of violence. Learn how Safe Routes to school can be leveraged to combat violence in minority communities. Access this resource here.
Access the Spanish ...
In a new study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, a team of researchers led by the University of Surrey, has found that front of package nutrition labels can enable consumers to make healthier food choices. "Front of package food labeling is an important tool in helping consumers to make healthier choices and to encourage the industry to provide healthier foods," said Professor Monique Raats from the University of Surrey who led the research. Read more ...
Companies spend over $150 million a year marketing mostly junk food to kids in schools. Thorough corporate sponsorships, posters/signs, vending machines, ads on buses and scoreboards, these companies constantly target Latino kids and minority youth. However, it doesn't have to be this way. Parents can take a stand again junk food ads by using new Growing Healthy Change marketing resources and tips from the new Voices For Healthy Kids "Don’t Sell Us Short" healthier food marketing toolkit. Access the toolkit ...
A new documentary, Bite Size is sure to shed light on some of the issues that so many children and families in the U.S. today face as a result of childhood obesity. The film takes us into the lives of four children including 11-year old Moises "Moy" Gutierrez, 13 year old Keanna, 13 year old Emily, and 12 year old Davion and the day to day challenges they face such as dealing with bullies, social stigma, and diabetes as a result of their weight status. According to an article about the movie, the film's producer Eric Gallegos grew up with a type 2 diabetic father himself, that's why he joined forces with director Corbin Billings to raise awareness of the challenges that kids, parents, teachers, schools and communities face from living in an environment laden with junk food ...
Did you know Latina moms are twice as likely as white moms to start prenatal care late or not all all? This increases the risk of having a baby with serious health problems. The good news is that using life planning tools, managing health conditions and avoiding certain exposures can improve differences in Latinas' prenatal and child health, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services’ Someday Starts Now campaign in English and Spanish. Here are six tips: 1. Health Before Pregnancy. A healthy life depends on a combination of eating right and exercising—in addition to managing chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes and stress, as well as quitting unhealthy behaviors like smoking. 2. Get Tested for STIs. Get checked regularly for Sexually Transmitted ...
The Aetna Foundation has announced the launch of the 2015 GoLocal: Cultivating Healthy Communities grants program. This year will be an Open RFP called Local Roots: Supporting Community Gardens, Urban Farms and Farmers Markets. Through this RFP Aetna will fund the creation and expansion of community gardens, urban farms and farmers markets in underserved neighborhoods so that fresh fruits and vegetables are locally available, accessible and affordable Beyond the gardens, farms or farmers markets themselves, successful applicants must have programs that also engage local residents in one or more of the following: Nutrition education and/or cooking classes that improve knowledge and skills about the health benefits of fresh produce;
Cultivating and/or distributing produce that ...
