Prospect Park YMCA Rolls Out Health Initiative for Latino Families
The Prospect Park YMCA is one of 48 YMCAs nationwide selected to receive a grant from the Kraft Foods Foundation to implement Salsa, Sabor y Salud (Food, Fun and Fitness), a national healthy lifestyles program for Hispanic/Latino families.
Developed by the National Latino Children’s Institute (NLCI) and Kraft Foods, Salsa, Sabor y Salud is designed to raise awareness of the importance of good nutrition, increase levels of physical activity and encourage healthy lifestyle habits for the whole family.
The Prospect Park YMCA is incorporating the curriculum into existing Y after-school programs. “Promoting healthy lifestyles is critical to our commitment to health and well-being, and Salsa, Sabor y Salud is one of the ways we’re delivering on that commitment,” said Rhonda Jordan, president of Global Health & Wellness at Kraft Foods.
According to the American Medical Association, 38.2 percent of Hispanic children ages 2 to 19 are overweight or obese, compared with 31.7 percent of all children in this age group.