Obesity is one of the leading health issues in the United States, and this is no exception in the Latino community.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) (hyperlink only name, not bracket), 39.1% of Latino adults are considered obese, defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater based on height and weight. The CDC’s recommended BMI for healthy living is between 18 and 25.
Obesity is also an epidemic among Latino children, with 14.8% of Latino infants being overweight.
The Latino obesity issue is so pressing in the United States that First Lady Michelle Obama has incorporated efforts into her existing Let’s Move! Campaign by ensuring Spanish-language outreach of the campaign.
“The Hispanic community faces unique challenges,” says Mrs. Obama. “While one in three kids in America is overweight or obese, we know that in [the] Hispanic community, it’s nearly two in five — two in five.”
Latino organizations and community leaders are conscious of the issue. For example, Dialogue on Diversity has decided to address the topic at their annual Health Care Symposium taking place next week on May 16th in Washington, D.C. The symposium will cover various health related issues affecting Latinos and other minority groups.
Examples of panels that will be held are: “Food/Nutrition and Preventative Strategies: Focused Prevention” featuring Lisa Pino, Deputy Director of SNAP Supplemental Nutrition, Assistance Program; “Cultural Competency: Disparities, Communications, Immigrant Women” featuring Dr. Leon Rodriguez, Director of Civil Rights Division, United States Department of Health and Human Services; and “Medical Information Technology and Privacy Perils” featuring Dr Geeta Nayyar, Chief Medical Information Officer.
The Health Care Symposium is free to the public and includes breakfast and lunch. There will be free diabetes testing and simultaneous translation (English/Spanish) available.
To register for the Symposium, click here. For more information on Dialogue on Diversity, click here.
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