LATINO CHILDHOOD OBESITY

U.S. obesity rates have risen at an alarming rate among children of all ages during the last 40 years, especially among children of minority descent. These statistics are of particular consequence for Latino children, who have been cited as having one of the highest rates of obesity and who 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! will work with researchers, health groups, individual advocates, and other RWJF national programs to bridge this data gap. The network places special emphasis on interventions 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.

For insight into the overall childhood obesity epidemic, view this online introductory document or visit the Web site for the RWJF childhood obesity program area.