El Paso, TX, September 20, 2010 (PAHO/WHO) - Obesity and overweight are serious problems affecting the population living in the border.  According to a recent U.S. Mexico Border Diabetes study, 70% of the participants were overweight or obese. Furthermore, it has been found that nationally these high rates are affecting Hispanic school age children where 44% of boys and 37 % of girls are overweight. Due to the high prevalence of overweight and obesity, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is implementing a national program named Healthy Kids, healthy Communities whose primary goal is to implement healthy eating and active living policy- and environmental-change initiatives that can support healthier communities for children and families across the United States. This initiative places special emphasis on reaching children who are at highest risk for obesity on the basis of race/ethnicity, income and/or geographic location.

September 21 and 22, 2010
Holiday Inn
9:00 am to 6:00 pm
900 Sunland Park Dr. Room C
El Paso, TX 79922;