Reducing Obesity in Low-Income African American and Latino Children: School and Community-Based Program as a Pro-active Approach

Low-income, urban African American and Latino children experience many health problems that are associated with obesity. Health education policymakers must analyze the biological, environmental and economic factors associated with obesity. An obesity prevention program taught to elementary students might reduce obesity rates in minority children. In addition, a local community-based program would complement the obesity prevention by concentrating on cultural values and beliefs. Pilot sites should be established in states with a high obesity rate in low-income minority populations. The school nurse would conduct body mass index screening and submit the results to the Centers for Disease Control. Emphasis is placed on the implementation barriers associated with health education policy