Currently, 38.2% of Latino children ages 2-19 are overweight or obese, compared with 31.7% of all U.S. children those ages, placing them at higher risk of developing chronic diseases. This disparity is particularly alarming given that Latino children comprise 22% of all U.S. youth and represent the largest, youngest, and fastest-growing minority group in the nation.

Obesity, especially when developed at a young age and carried into adulthood, is associated with type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, asthma, sleep apnea and some types of cancer. These factors make it an urgent priority to address Latino childhood obesity.

However, in the past there has been scarce amount of research and data available on Latinos, making it difficult to develop and implement evidence-based, culturally appropriate interventions to prevent Latino childhood obesity. Salud America! works with researchers, health groups, individual advocates, and other RWJF national programs to bridge this data gap. The network places special emphasis on interventions and communications that address multiple levels of an ecologic framework.

For the latest information about Latino childhood obesity, join the network to receive our E-newsletter and visit our blog or visit the Web site for the RWJF childhood obesity program area.

View the "Overweight and Obesity Among Latino Youth" Fact Sheet in English or Spanish from Leadership for Healthy Communities.