A good breakfast can help you avoid obesity. The state program Network for a Healthy California is raising awareness of the obesity problem among children as part of Latino Health Awareness Month. It kicks off on Saturday an event called “California Latinos take back breakfast.”
Parents and kids are invited to the dedication of a community garden at President John Adams Manors, 5410 Bayview Heights Place in the Oak Park neighborhood. San Diego City Council president Tony Young will do the ribbon-cutting honors beginning at 11 a.m.
Among the activities: Kids can run a nutrition decathlon obstacle course; judge a healthy Latino breakfast contest; and share recipes for healthy means.
“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” explained Gloria Sotelo, of Network For a Healthy California. “Kids need healthy food to fuel their active days.”
Fruits, vegetables, yogurt and eggs are part of what helps kids to have higher energy during the day, she said. A solid breakfast and not skipping meals throughout the day makes children less likely to become overweight or obese, Sotelo said.
“In the Latino community, in some areas, the population of obese children is up to 50 percent” said Sotelo. “In the last decade, obesity has doubled among Latino children and now nearly half of Latino children from 9 to 11 are overweight or obese.”
Saturday the focus will be on children, fruits, energy, active lives and joy.
