Lessons from Latino Communities: Policy and Systems Change to Prevent Childhood Obesity

Method: We reviewed scientific literature and other available resources to identify conditions in the physical and social community environments experienced by Latino children that have bearing on development of childhood obesity. We searched for promising models from Latino communities working toward environments that support healthy nutrition and physical activity.

Results / findings: We provide both scientific evidence and real-life examples of environmental conditions that shape risks and opportunities for healthy nutrition and physical activity among children living in Latino communities. Descriptive and cross-sectional studies provide evidence that Latino children confront multiple inequitable conditions within the social and physical environments that surround them where they live, go to school, and play. Critical examination of the impact that adverse environments can have on health outcomes such as disproportionately high rates of obesity and overweight suggests that the long-term health and wellness of millions of Latino children is being compromised. Community-driven strategies pioneered in Latino communities are being found to improve opportunities for healthy nutrition and physical activity, but we also find intransigence in some sectors and countervailing economic pressures.

Conclusions: Community-driven measures to create equitable and health-supportive environments in Latino neighborhoods constitute a growing body of promising practices ripe for broad replication. Equitable environmental policy and systems changes have the potential to prevent obesity and its complications in Latino communities.