Project Title: Salud America! The National Latino Childhood Obesity Prevention Research Network

Abstract:

Salud America! is one of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's national funding initiatives to reverse the epidemic of childhood obesity by 2015. In respect to the U.S. childhood obesity epidemic and Latino children:

  • Latino children have higher obesity rates than non-Hispanic white and African-American children.(2)
  • Mexican-American children ages 6-11 are at the highest risk for obesity.(2)
  • More than 33% of children and adolescents are overweight or obese.(3)
  • Children's obesity rates have tripled in the last 30 years(1) and are continuing to grow at alarming rates.(2)
  • As of 2007, 90% of elementary schools have eliminated daily physical education.(3)

PI:

Amelie G. Ramirez, DrPH, Professor of Epidemiology & Biostatistics and Director for the Institute for Health Promotion Research at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Co-PI:

Kipling Gallion, MA, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology & Biostatistics and Deputy Director for the Institute for Health Promotion Research at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Coordinators:

Patricia Chalela, DrPH, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Institute for Health Promotion Research at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Emma Mancha, M.P.A., Research Associate, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Institute for Health Promotion Research at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Funding Institution:

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Funding Period:

5 years – 8/1/07-7/31/12

Location/Service Area:

The program is national in scope. The National Program Office is based at the Institute for Health Promotion Research, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Collaborators/Co-sponsors:

  • To be announced.

Goals:

  • Develop a network of researchers, community leaders, and groups interested in fighting the childhood obesity epidemic among Latino children.
  • Conduct a national summit meeting in fall of 2008.
  • Develop a research agenda on Latino childhood obesity and disseminate key research findings.
  • Create a funding infrastructure and support 20 pilot research projects of up to $75,000 each, over two years, to further this research agenda.
  • Provide training and mentoring opportunities for funded pilot researchers throughout their projects.

Results:

None to report to date.

Potential Impact:

Potential Impact: The program aims to help reverse the childhood obesity epidemic by 2015 by improving access to affordable healthy foods and increasing opportunities for physical activity in schools and communities across the nation. Childhood obesity is one of the most urgent public health threats facing our nation. Preventing obesity during childhood is critical, because habits that last into adulthood frequently are formed during youth. Research shows that overweight adolescents have up to an 80 percent chance of becoming overweight or obese adults. Earlier onset of obesity leads to the earlier onset of related illnesses, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer. In addition to the toll on our nation's health, obesity also poses a tremendous financial threat to our economy and health care system.

Publications:

None to report.

  1. Anderson et al. 2003. "Economic Perspectives on Childhood Obesity." Economic Perspectives. 3Q. 30-48.
  2. Ogden et al. 2006. "Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the U.S. 1999-2004." JAMA 295(13). 1549-1555.
  3. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation 2007. Childhood Obesity. May, 2007.